Mobile phones effect protein expression

[CharonY]

I just stumbled about this interesting paper. It has been reported earlier that EM fields of mobiles effect cells, including expression changes. Here a direct mechanism has been elucidated in which the EM field induces NADH oxidases to release reactive oxygen species, which in turn activate a regulatory cascade.

 

Abstract:

The exposure to non-thermal microwave electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones affects the expression of many proteins. This effect on transcription and protein stability can be mediated by the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades, which serve as central signalling pathways and govern essentially all stimulated cellular processes. Indeed, long-term exposure of cells to mobile phone irradiation results in the activation of p38 as well as the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) MAPKs. In the present study, we have studied the immediate effect of irradiation on the MAPK cascades, and found that ERKs, but not stress-related MAPKs, are rapidly activated in response to various frequencies and intensities. Using signalling inhibitors, we delineated the mechanism that is involved in this activation. We found that the first step is mediated in the plasma membrane by NADH oxidase, which rapidly generates ROS (reactive oxygen species). These ROS then directly stimulate MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and allow them to cleave and release Hb-EGF [heparin-binding EGF (epidermal growth factor)]. This secreted factor activates the EGF receptor, which in turn further activates the ERK cascade. Thus this study demonstrates for the first time a detailed molecular mechanism by which electromagnetic irradiation from mobile phones induces the activation of the ERK cascade and thereby induces transcription and other cellular processes.

 

Friedman et al. Biochem. J. (2007) 405 (559–568)

[imp]

I just stumbled about this interesting paper. It has been reported earlier that EM fields of mobiles effect cells, including expression changes. Here a direct mechanism has been elucidated in which the EM field induces NADH oxidases to release reactive oxygen species, which in turn activate a regulatory cascade.

 

Abstract:

The exposure to non-thermal microwave electromagnetic fields generated by mobile phones affects the expression of many proteins. This effect on transcription and protein stability can be mediated by the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades, which serve as central signalling pathways and govern essentially all stimulated cellular processes. Indeed, long-term exposure of cells to mobile phone irradiation results in the activation of p38 as well as the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) MAPKs. In the present study, we have studied the immediate effect of irradiation on the MAPK cascades, and found that ERKs, but not stress-related MAPKs, are rapidly activated in response to various frequencies and intensities. Using signalling inhibitors, we delineated the mechanism that is involved in this activation. We found that the first step is mediated in the plasma membrane by NADH oxidase, which rapidly generates ROS (reactive oxygen species). These ROS then directly stimulate MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and allow them to cleave and release Hb-EGF [heparin-binding EGF (epidermal growth factor)]. This secreted factor activates the EGF receptor, which in turn further activates the ERK cascade. Thus this study demonstrates for the first time a detailed molecular mechanism by which electromagnetic irradiation from mobile phones induces the activation of the ERK cascade and thereby induces transcription and other cellular processes.

 

Friedman et al. Biochem. J. (2007) 405 (559–568)

 

So, without trying to understand the technical terminology in the abstract, what harm, if any, is being done physiologically by mobiles, and how long does exposure have to be to bring it about? imp

[AL]

It's not that simple to predict if it will be harmful. All other things equal, it's probably not good to have excess ROS, but this is not an all other things equal scenario. Interesting paper, though.

[CharonY]

Precisely. To date there is no compelling evidence whether mobiles are harmful to health. It is only known that they do have physiological effects (as arguably any environmental stimuli), and this paper is to my knowledge the first that describes mechanisms involved. At the moment this and similar papers are only giving food for thought.