Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant tumor syndrome caused by mutations in either of the TSC1 or TSC2 tumor suppressor genes. The products of these genes form a protein complex that indirectly decreases the signaling of the mammalian Target of Rapamycin (TOR), an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell growth and cell cycle throμgh its ability to integrate signals from nutrient levels and growth factors