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

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Publication Type Journal Article
School or College College of Pharmacy; College of Engineering; School of Medicine
Department Biochemistry; Bioengineering; Electrical & Computer Engineering; Pharmacology & Toxicology
Creator Hendee, Shonn P.; Faour, Fouad A.; Christensen, Douglas A.; Patrick, Baharah; Durney, Carl H.; Blumenthal, Donald K.
Title Effects of weak extremely low frequency magnetic fields on calcium/calmodulin interactions.
Date 1996-06
Description 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. 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.
Type Text
Publisher Biophysical Society
Volume 70
Issue 6
First Page 2915
Last Page 2923
Subject Electromagnetic Fields; Calcium-binding Proteins; Lednev's Theory
Subject MESH Magnetics; Calcium; Calmodulin; Enzyme Activation; Fluorescent Dyes; Fluorescence Polarization
Language eng
Bibliographic Citation Hendee SP, Faour FA, Christensen DA, Patrick B, Durney CH, Blumenthal DK. The effects of weak extremely low frequency magnetic fields on calcium/calmodulin interactions. Biophys J. 1996 Jun;70(6):2915-23. Retrieved August 29, 2006 from http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=8744329
Format Medium application/pdf
Identifier ir-main,358
ARK ark:/87278/s65m6qc5
Setname ir_uspace
ID 707062
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s65m6qc5
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