Subject(s)
Awards and Prizes , Channelopathies/history , Chronobiology Disorders/history , Genetics, Medical/history , Neurology/history , Biomedical Research/organization & administration , Epilepsy/genetics , Epilepsy/history , Epilepsy/physiopathology , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , NAV1.4 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/deficiency , NAV1.4 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel/history , Paralysis, Hyperkalemic Periodic/genetics , Paralysis, Hyperkalemic Periodic/history , Paralysis, Hyperkalemic Periodic/physiopathology , Societies, Scientific , United StatesABSTRACT
Drosophila has enabled important breakthroughs in K(+) channel research, including identification and fi rst cloning of a voltage-activated K(+) channel, Shaker, a founding member of the K(V)1 family. Drosophila has also helped in discovering other K(+) channels, such as Shab, Shaw, Shal, Eag, Sei, Elk, and also Slo, a Ca(2+) - and voltage-dependent K(+) channel. These findings have contributed significantly to our understanding of ion channels and their role in physiology. Drosophila continues to play an important role in ion channel studies, benefiting from an unparalleled arsenal of genetic tools and availability of tens of thousands of genetically modified strains. These tools allow deletion, expression, or misexpression of almost any gene in question with temporal and spatial control. The combination of these tools and resources with the use of forward genetic approach in Drosophila further enhances its strength as a model system. There are many areas in which Drosophila can further help our understanding of ion channels and their function. These include signaling pathways involved in regulating and modulating ion channels, basic information on channels and currents where very little is currently known, and the role of ion channels in physiology and pathology.
Subject(s)
Drosophila Proteins/physiology , Potassium Channels/history , Potassium Channels/physiology , Animals , Channelopathies/genetics , Channelopathies/history , Drosophila , Drosophila Proteins/history , History, 20th Century , Mutation/genetics , Signal Transduction/physiologyABSTRACT
John Newsom-Davis was a key figure in the field of neuroimmunology and combined many outstanding personal qualities with considerable clinical and scientific expertise. His first report of plasma exchange in myasthenia in the late 1970s demonstrated its use both as a treatment and as an experimental tool to establish the pathogenic role of antibodies in neurological disorders. Subsequent investigations into the Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome and acquired neuromyotonia showed that these were caused by antibodies to specific ion channels. The field of autoimmune channelopathies is continuing to expand with identification of new antibody-mediated diseases including those affecting the central nervous system. This review will highlight some of his most seminal findings and those that are following on from his work.
