Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

ELF magnetic fields induce internalization of gap junction protein connexin 43 in Chinese hamster lung cells med./bio.

By: Zeng QL, Chiang H, Hu GL, Mao GG, Fu YT, Lu DQ
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2003; 24 (2): 134-138
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the changes in localization of the gap junction protein (connexin 43) in CHL cells after 50 Hz 0.8 mT magnetic field exposure.

Background/further details

In previous studies on gap junctional intercellular communication the authors indicated that magnetic field exposure at 0.8 mT had an inhibition effect on gap junctional intercellular communication (see "Related articles"). Meanwhile, the authors reported that an extremely low frequency magnetic field and/or TPA exposure decreased the quantity of non-phosphorylated connexin 43 and induced the appearance of a hyper-phosphorylated connexin 43, suggesting that the magnetic field and/or TPA could promote the connexin 43 phosphorylation (indicating that the inhibition of intercellular communication induced by the magnetic field may be due primarily to hyper-phosphorylation of gap junctional connexins).
CHL cells were exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field at 0.8 mT for 24 h without or with TPA (5 ng/ml).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 0.8 mT - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Li CM et al. (1999): Exposure to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields: Effects of time and field strength on gap junctional intercellular communication

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Plasma membrane localized connexin 43 immunostained gap junctional plaques decreased after magnetic field exposure and/or TPA treatment while the number of connexin 43 in cytoplasm increased and congregated near the nuclei.
These findings indicate that reduction of connexin 43 at regions of intercellular contact may be one of the mechanisms of gap junctional intercellular communication inhibition induced by extremely low frequency magnetic fields.

Study character:

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