Using model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae to evaluate the effects of ELF-MF and RF-EMF exposure on global gene expression.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2012 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4539

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2012

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The potential health hazard of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) continues to cause public concern. However, the possibility of biological and health effects of exposure to EMF remains controversial and their biophysical mechanisms are unknown. In the present study, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify genes responding to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and to radiofrequency EMF (RF-EMF) exposures. The yeast cells were exposed for 6 h to either 0.4 mT 50 Hz ELF-MF or 1800 MHz RF-EMF at a specific absorption rate of 4.7 W/kg. Gene expression was analyzed by microarray screening and confirmed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We were unable to confirm microarray-detected changes in three of the ELF-MF responsive candidate genes using RT-PCR (P > 0.05). On the other hand, out of the 40 potential RF-EMF responsive genes, only the expressions of structural maintenance of chromosomes 3 (SMC3) and aquaporin 2 (AQY2 (m)) were confirmed, while three other genes, that is, halotolerance protein 9 (HAL9), yet another kinase 1 (YAK1) and one function-unknown gene (open reading frame: YJL171C), showed opposite changes in expression compared to the microarray data (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the yeast cells did not alter gene expression in response to 50 Hz ELF-MF and that the response to RF-EMF is limited to only a very small number of genes. The possible biological consequences of the gene expression changes induced by RF-EMF await further investigation.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationSaccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast cells)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF and RF · 1800 MHz · 4.7 W/kg · 6 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Yeast cells exposed for 6 h to 0.4 mT 50 Hz ELF-MF showed microarray-detected candidate gene changes that could not be confirmed by RT-PCR (P>0.05). For 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure at SAR 4.7 W/kg, only two genes (SMC3 and AQY2(m)) were confirmed as responsive, while three genes (HAL9, YAK1, YJL171C) showed opposite expression changes compared with microarray results (P<0.05); overall the RF-EMF response was limited to a very small number of genes.

Outcomes measured

Global gene expression (microarray)
Gene expression confirmation by real-time RT-PCR
Expression changes in specific genes (e.g., SMC3, AQY2(m), HAL9, YAK1, YJL171C)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Microarray findings were not consistently confirmed by RT-PCR (including opposite-direction changes for some RF-EMF candidate genes)
Biological consequences of the observed RF-EMF-associated gene expression changes were not established

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF and RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": 4.7,
    "duration": "6 h"
  },
  "population": "Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast cells)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Global gene expression (microarray)",
    "Gene expression confirmation by real-time RT-PCR",
    "Expression changes in specific genes (e.g., SMC3, AQY2(m), HAL9, YAK1, YJL171C)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Yeast cells exposed for 6 h to 0.4 mT 50 Hz ELF-MF showed microarray-detected candidate gene changes that could not be confirmed by RT-PCR (P>0.05). For 1800 MHz RF-EMF exposure at SAR 4.7 W/kg, only two genes (SMC3 and AQY2(m)) were confirmed as responsive, while three genes (HAL9, YAK1, YJL171C) showed opposite expression changes compared with microarray results (P<0.05); overall the RF-EMF response was limited to a very small number of genes.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Microarray findings were not consistently confirmed by RT-PCR (including opposite-direction changes for some RF-EMF candidate genes)",
    "Biological consequences of the observed RF-EMF-associated gene expression changes were not established"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Saccharomyces cerevisiae",
    "yeast",
    "ELF-MF",
    "50 Hz",
    "0.4 mT",
    "RF-EMF",
    "1800 MHz",
    "SAR 4.7 W/kg",
    "microarray",
    "RT-PCR",
    "gene expression",
    "SMC3",
    "AQY2",
    "HAL9",
    "YAK1",
    "YJL171C"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.21724
PubMed: 22487891

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