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Calcium is necessary in the cell response to EM fields
R Karabakhtsian1, N Broude, N Shalts
1Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, New York, NY.
FEBS Letters
|July 25, 1994
Summary
Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields alter gene expression in human cells. This study confirms that calcium influx is crucial for mediating cellular responses to electromagnetic fields, impacting gene activation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Electrophysiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) have been shown to alter mRNA levels in human HL-60 cells.
- Calcium flux is a proposed mechanism for signal amplification of electromagnetic fields.
- Changes in calcium influx may trigger gene activation pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of calcium in cellular responses to ELF-EMFs.
- To determine if calcium is essential for ELF-EMF-induced gene expression changes.
Main Methods:
- Human HL-60 cells were exposed to ELF-EMFs.
- Steady-state transcript levels of c-fos and c-myc genes were measured.
- Experiments were conducted under conditions of low extracellular calcium.
Main Results:
- Cellular response to ELF-EMFs was observed.
- Low extracellular calcium conditions affected the cellular response.
- The study confirmed the involvement of calcium in the cellular response to ELF-EMFs.
Conclusions:
- Calcium plays a significant role in mediating cellular responses to ELF-EMFs.
- Modulation of calcium influx is a key factor in ELF-EMF-induced gene expression.
- These findings highlight the importance of calcium signaling in bioelectromagnetics.