Microwave enhancement of membrane conductance: calmodulin hypothesis

It has been found that 2450 MHz microwave radiation increases membrane conductance in molluscan neurons. Analysis of this effect points to the important role of Ca++ in the mechanism of neuron microwave response. However, regulation of many intracellular processes is not a direct Ca++ effect, but is mediated through calmodulin, a Ca++-binding multifunctional protein. Furthermore, there is some evidence showing that Ca++ regulation of a Ca pump, endoplasmic reticulum Ca++ buffering, and Ca++-activated K+ conductance are mediated via calmodulin. Based on that, calmodulin is hypothesized to be a microwave susceptible protein, and a qualitative model of microwave enhancement of membrane conductance is suggested.