Differentiation of chromaffin cells elicited by ELF MF modifies gene expression pattern

Chromaffin cells exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF, 60 Hz, 0.7 mT) differentiate into sympathetic neuron-like cells. This complex process must involve both qualitative and quantitative variations in gene expression. This study looks at whether ELF MF treatment provokes changes in the global transcription profile of chromaffin cells, using the RT-Differential Display method. When the gene expression patterns of experimental groups (nerve growth factor (NGF) and ELF MF) were compared to those receiving no treatment, at least 53 transcripts showing differential expression were detected. Eight RT-PCR products, corresponding to six genes, were re-amplified, sequenced and compared with the rat gene bank. Sequence analysis showed that these genes most likely encode: phosphoglucomutase-1, neurofibromatosis-2 interacting protein, microtubule associated protein-2, thiamine pyrophosphokinase, and two unidentified hypothetical proteins (RNOR02022103 and ROR01044577), and that the presumed regulatory regions of these genes contained CTCT-clusters, which are thought to be required for electromagnetic field-dependent gene expression.