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.
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August 2007
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Research Article|
July 13 2007
Mechanism of short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequencies
Joseph Friedman;
Joseph Friedman
*Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Sarah Kraus;
Sarah Kraus
*Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Yirmi Hauptman;
Yirmi Hauptman
†Gal Safe Ltd, Rishon Lezion, Israel 75153
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Yoni Schiff;
Yoni Schiff
†Gal Safe Ltd, Rishon Lezion, Israel 75153
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Rony Seger
Rony Seger
1
*Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email rony.seger@weizmann.ac.il).
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Biochem J (2007) 405 (3): 559–568.
Article history
Received:
November 03 2006
Revision Received:
April 23 2007
Accepted:
April 25 2007
Accepted Manuscript online:
April 25 2007
Connected Content
A commentary has been published:
MAPK activation by radio waves
An Expression of Concern has been published:
Expression of Concern: Mechanism of short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequencies
Citation
Joseph Friedman, Sarah Kraus, Yirmi Hauptman, Yoni Schiff, Rony Seger; Mechanism of short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequencies. Biochem J 1 August 2007; 405 (3): 559–568. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20061653
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