Comparative Ultrastructure of Wild-Type and Tumorous Cells of Drosophila

In Drosophila genetic factors cause malignant and benign neoplasms (Gateff, 1978a,b,c). In addition, compactly growing lethal tumors have been obtained from eye-antennal imaginal discs during serial subculture in the abdomens of female flies (Gateff, 1978a,b). The following tumor types have been found: (1) lethal-benign imaginal disc neoplasms, (2) malignant neuroblastomas, (3) malignant blood cell neoplasms, and (4) a benign gonial cell neoplasm. The fine structure of some of the above tumors has been studied and compared to the fine structure of corresponding wild-type cells. These will be discussed below.