Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple hamartias and hamartomas involving throughout the body. To date, many TSC1 and TSC2 mutations have been reported all over the world, however, few TSC mutation studies have been performed in the Japanese population, and genetic characteristics of Japanese TSC patients are not yet clear. In this study, we analyzed TSC1 and TSC2 in 57 Japanese patients with TSC (8 familial and 49 sporadic; 46 definite and 11 suspect TSC) and identified 31 mutations including 11 TSC1 mutations (two familial and nine sporadic; all definite TSC) and 20 TSC2 mutations (2 familial and 18 sporadic; 19 definite and 1 suspect TSC). We also reviewed all Japanese TSC mutations previously reported. Our study demonstrates significantly higher incidence (P=0.007) of TSC1 mutations among sporadic TSC patients in the Japanese population compared with US and European studies. No differences emerged in mutation distributions and types in precedent studies, excepting low frequency of the TSC2 nonsense mutation. Comparing clinical manifestations, developmental delay and/or mental retardation were milder in TSC1 patients than TSC2 patients for its frequency (P=0.032) and severity (P=0.015); however, no other symptoms were clearly different.

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In current practice of clinical genetics, molecular diagnosis has become more widely used than ever before. DNA diagnosis is important for appropriate medical care of the patient, and proper genetic counseling to the family. However, genetic testing of orphan disease cannot always be performed easily. In multiple congenital anomalies (MCA) syndromes by monogenic cause, the broad mutational spectrum and large size of responsible genes often make molecular diagnosis expensive and cumbersome. We solve this problem with on-demand genetic testing by CHIPS (CEL nuclease mediated heteroduplex incision with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining) technology, which is the ultimately conventional and economical mutation screening system. In this article, we show eight patients with MCA syndromes who were recently treated at our hospital, and demonstrate that CHIPS successfully offers efficient and inexpensive genetic testing and facilitates clinical genetic service in our local region.