RF Safe

A possible role for extra-cellular ATP in plant responses to high frequency, low amplitude electromagnetic field.

Plant signaling & behavior · 2008 · Mixed · Very low evidence

← Research stream
MixedVery low evidencePaper 5011

Exposure to low level 900 MHz EMF was associated with a rapid drop in ATP concentration (27% after 30 min) and an 18% decrease in adenylate energy charge (AEC). The authors discuss a possible signalling role for extracellular ATP in plant stress physiology in…

Study snapshot

PublicationPlant signaling & behavior · 2008
Study typereview
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

In parallel to evoking the accumulation of stress-related transcripts, exposure to low level 900 MHz EMF affected the levels of ATP, the main energy molecule of the cell. Its concentration dropped rapidly (27% after 30 min) in response to EMF exposure, along with a 18% decrease in the adenylate energy charge (AEC), a good marker of cell energy status. One could interpret this decrease in ATP and AEC in a classical way, i.e., as the result of an increase in cellular energy usage, but recent work brings exciting new insights in pointing out a signalling function for ATP, especially in the stress physiology context where it could trigger both reactive oxygen species and calcium movement (this latter being involved in plant responses to EMF exposure). In this addendum, we discuss our results within this new perspective for ATP function.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview
Effect directionmixed
Populationplant cells (plant; specific species/cell type not stated)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 30 min
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 66% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to low level 900 MHz EMF was associated with a rapid drop in ATP concentration (27% after 30 min) and an 18% decrease in adenylate energy charge (AEC). The authors discuss a possible signalling role for extracellular ATP in plant stress physiology in the context of EMF exposure.

Outcomes measured

  • ATP concentration
  • adenylate energy charge (AEC)
  • stress-related transcripts (accumulation)

Limitations

  • Study design details are not provided in the abstract (e.g., experimental setup, controls, dosimetry/SAR).
  • Sample size and plant model/species are not stated.
  • The abstract frames the piece as an addendum/discussion, limiting inference about causal mechanisms.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 min"
  },
  "population": "plant cells (plant; specific species/cell type not stated)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "ATP concentration",
    "adenylate energy charge (AEC)",
    "stress-related transcripts (accumulation)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to low level 900 MHz EMF was associated with a rapid drop in ATP concentration (27% after 30 min) and an 18% decrease in adenylate energy charge (AEC). The authors discuss a possible signalling role for extracellular ATP in plant stress physiology in the context of EMF exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Study design details are not provided in the abstract (e.g., experimental setup, controls, dosimetry/SAR).",
    "Sample size and plant model/species are not stated.",
    "The abstract frames the piece as an addendum/discussion, limiting inference about causal mechanisms."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.66,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "900 MHz",
    "RF EMF",
    "plants",
    "ATP",
    "adenylate energy charge",
    "stress transcripts",
    "extracellular ATP",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "calcium signaling"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.4161/psb.3.6.5385
PubMed: 19704572

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library