Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Real-time assessment of possible electromagnetic-field-induced changes in protein conformation and thermal stability med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2014; 35 (7): 470-478

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate whether radiofrequency electromagnetic fields can induce conformational changes in proteins.

Background/further details

In this study, the thermosensor protein GrpE was used. GrpE is the adenosine diphosphate/adenosine triphosphate exchange factor of the Hsp70 chaperone system of Escherichia coli.
Ten protein solutions were analyzed in two different solvents with different protocols, varying in the applied electromagnetic field (sinusoidal with a frequency of 0.1, 1.0, and 1,9 GHz or GSM signal), exposure time, cycle conditions (on/off duration), temperature, and electric field strength. Possible immediate (less than 0.1 second) and delayed effects (more than 30 seconds) were recorded.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 0.1 GHz
Exposure duration: intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)
Exposure 2: 1 GHz
Exposure duration: intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)
Exposure 3: 1.9 GHz
Exposure duration: intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)
Exposure 4: 0.9 GHz
Exposure duration: intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 0.1 GHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)
Exposure setup
Setup exposure chamber installed within the measurement compartment of a spectropolarimeter
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 0.15 kV/m minimum calculated - -
electric field strength 5 kV/m maximum calculated - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1 GHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 0.15 kV/m minimum calculated - -
electric field strength 5 kV/m maximum calculated - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 1.9 GHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 0.15 kV/m minimum calculated - -
electric field strength 5 kV/m maximum calculated - -

Exposure 4

Main characteristics
Frequency 0.9 GHz
Type
Exposure duration intermittent for up to 2 hours (different on/off cycles)
Additional info GSM signal
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 0.3 kV/m - calculated - -

Reference articles

  • Beyer C et al. (2013): Experimental system for real-time assessment of potential changes in protein conformation induced by electromagnetic fields

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No significant changes on the protein conformation were observed in any of the used exposure condition.
The data indicate that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the tested frequency range and electric field strength do not induce conformational changes in the isolated GrpE-protein.

Study character:

Study funded by

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