Abstract: The invention provides for a method to inhibit the binding between the p85 and p110 subunits of said PI3-kinase and thus a method to modulate PI3-kinase activity and modulate the response of cells to external stimuli. In particular, disabling, by conventional means, residues located in the inter-SH2 domain of said p85 subunit, specifically a region containing amino acid residue 478 to amino acid residue 513 of p85.alpha. subunit, or amino acid residue 445 to amino acid residue 485 of p85.beta. subunit of said PI3-kinase. Interference with these binding regions will affect binding between the subunits and results in inhibiting PI3-kinase activity. This invention further relates to a methods to modulate the serine kinase activity of the PI3-kinase which can be achieved by disabling the DRHNSN sequence of the p110 subunit and can also be used to effect changes in overall PI3-kinase activity. This invention is further related to an (ant)agonist which affects serine kinase activity of PI3-kinase.

Abstract: A portable hand-held hair dryer having a housing formed with an elongate front edge portion along the edgewise direction of which is extended an air outlet for discharge of heated air. A hand grip is slidably connected to the front edge portion of the housing for movement therealong in a straight path between a retracted position in which the hand grip overlies the front edge portion to block the air outlet and a projected position in which the hand grip extends outwardly of the housing to be ready for being grasped by the hand of the user after opening the air outlet. A recess is formed in the housing at a portion adjacent to the function of the hand grip in its projected position so as to receive a portion of the user's hand grasping the hand grip. This recess is advantageous for providing a comfortable support of the hair dryer with a minimum projected length of the hand grip. A voltage selection switch is positioned so as to be accessible only when the hand grip is in its retracted position.