Microwave enhancement of membrane conductance: calmodulin hypothesis.
It has been found that 2450 MHz microwave radiation increases membrane conductance in molluscan neurons. Analysis of this effect points to the important role of Ca++ in the mechanism of neuron microwave response. However, regulation of many intracellular processes is not a direct Ca++ effect, but is mediated through calmodulin, a Ca++-binding multifunctional protein. Furthermore, there is some evidence showing that Ca++ regulation of a Ca pump, endoplasmic reticulum Ca++ buffering, and Ca++-activated K+ conductance are mediated via calmodulin. Based on that, calmodulin is hypothesized to be a microwave susceptible protein, and a qualitative model of microwave enhancement of membrane conductance is suggested.
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D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008872:Microwaves; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012908:Snails
D002147:Calmodulin; D007473:Ion Channels; D002118:Calcium