Biophysical Journal 70: 2915-2923 (1996)
© 1996 the Biophysical Society

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hendee, S P Articles by Blumenthal, D K Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hendee, S P Articles by Blumenthal, D K

The effects of weak extremely low frequency magnetic fields on calcium/calmodulin interactions.

Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.

ABSTRACT

Mechanisms by which weak electromagnetic fields may affect biological systems are of current interest because of their potential health effects. Lednev has proposed an ion parametric resonance hypothesis (Lednev, 1991, Bioelectromagnetics, 12:71-75), which predicts that when the ac, frequency of a combined dc-ac magnetic field equals the cyclotron frequency of calcium, the affinity of calcium for calcium-binding proteins such as calmodulin will be markedly affected. The present study evaluated Lednev's theory using two independent systems, each sensitive to changes in the affinity of calcium for calmodulin. One of the systems used was the calcium/calmodulin-dependent activation of myosin light chain kinase, a system similar to that previously used by Lednev. The other system monitored optical changes in the binding of a fluorescent peptide to the calcium/calmodulin complex. Each system was exposed to a 20.9 microT static field superimposed on a 20.9 microT sinusoidal field over a narrow frequency range centered at 16 Hz, the cyclotron frequency of the unhydrated calcium ion. In contrast to Lednev's predictions, no significant effect of combined dc-ac magnetic fields on calcium/calmodulin interactions was indicated in either experimental system.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				I. Popescu and A. Willows Sources of magnetic sensory input to identified neurons active during crawling in the marine mollusc Tritonia diomedea J. Exp. Biol., January 11, 1999; 202(21): 3029 - 3036. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Lacy-hulbert, J. C. Metcalfe, and R. Hesketh Biological responses to electromagnetic fields FASEB J, April 1, 1998; 12(6): 395 - 420. [Abstract] [Full Text]