ALTERED DRUG RESISTANCE AND RECOVERY FROM PARALYSIS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER WITH A DEFICIENT HISTAMINE-GATED CHLORIDE CHANNEL

The recent identification and characterization of two genes, encoding histamine-gated chloride channel subunits from Drosophila melanogaster , has confirmed that histamine is a major neurotransmitter in the fruitfly. One of the cloned genes, hclA (synonyms: HisCl - &#102 1 ; HisCl2 ), corresponds to ort ( ora transientless ), mutationsin which affect synaptic transmission in the Drosophila visual system. We identified a mutational change (a null mutation) in the genomic and RNA copies of hclA derived from mutants carrying the ort 1 allele. This correlates with new phenotypes observed in the mutant strain. We found hypersensitivity to the avermectin neurotoxins in both the ort 1 adult flies and third instar larvae compared to Oregon R wild-type animals. On the other hand, the mutation makes both male and female adult flies more resistant to treatment with diethyl ether, and the animals show substantially prolonged recovery from paralysis after diethylether anaesthesia, as well as from paralysis after mechanical shock, as revealed by the bang sensitivity test. Altogether, our data give direct evidence that in vivo a HCLA subunit-containing receptor has a distinct role in the neurotoxic action of the avermectins. They also provide new evidence for a function in the response to diethylether anaesthesia and, moreover, that HCLA function is not limited to the visual system.     

INTERFERON REDUCES RECURRENCES OF BASAL CELL AND SQUAMOUS CELL CANCERS

Background.Interferon is considered to be an important curative agent for dermatologic diseases. We report the follow-up experience of patients with basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas treated with human natural leukocyte interferon (hnli ). Results. Among 52 patients with basal cell carcinoma (bcc ) treated with hnli more than 10 years ago, and among 58 treated more than 5 years ago, only 2 recurrences were observed. There were no recurrences in 75 patients who had a complete response to hnli treatment, nor were there any in 20 patients with either a partial or complete response to r.IFM alpha 2c treatment. Of 52 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (scc ), 31 had been treated more than 10 years earlier, two recurrences of the disease at the site of the original lesion were observed. Conclusion. Interferon treatment makes it possible to achieve a persistent cure in patients with BCC and sec in a high proportion of cases. The potential advantage of nonsurgical treatment are an enhancement of cosmetic results through the prevention of destruction of important anatomic structures.