0.1 THz exposure affects primary hippocampus neuron gene expression via alternating transcription factor binding

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Terahertz (THz) radiation's influence on gene expression is increasingly studied.
• The precise molecular mechanisms underlying THz radiation's biological effects remain largely unelucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of 0.1 THz radiation on gene expression in primary neuron cells.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of THz radiation's biological effects.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to analyze gene expression changes.
• Gene Ontology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were utilized for functional enrichment.
• The binding efficiency of transcription factor AP-1 to its DNA binding site was assessed.

Main Results:

• 0.1 THz radiation led to 111 up-regulated and 54 down-regulated genes in neuron cells.
• GO analysis revealed enrichment in biomolecule binding categories, including "long-chain fatty acid binding" and "GTPase binding".
• GSEA indicated up-regulation of genes encoding ribosomal proteins, suggesting enhanced protein biosynthesis.
• THz irradiation reduced the binding efficiency of transcription factor AP-1 to DNA.

Conclusions:

• THz radiation significantly alters gene expression profiles in primary neuron cells.
• The findings suggest that THz radiation may modulate gene expression by interfering with transcription factor-DNA interactions.
• This study provides novel insights into the biological consequences of THz exposure at the molecular level.