Sinusoidal 60 Hz electromagnetic fields failed to induce changes in protein synthesis in Escherichia coli.
Escherichia coli JM83 [F- ara delta(lac-proAB) rpsL [phi 80d delta (lacZ)M15]] in midlog growth phase at 30 degrees C were exposed to 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field of 3 mT of nonuniform diverging flux, inducing a nonuniform electric field with a maximum intensity of 32 microV/cm using an inductor coil. Exposed and unexposed control cells were maintained at 30.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 30.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C, respectively. Quadruplicate samples of exposed and unexposed E. coli cells were simultaneously radiolabeled with 35S-L-methionine at 10 min intervals over 2 hr. Radiochemical incorporation into proteins was analyzed via liquid scintillation counting and by denaturing 12.5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed that E. coli exposed to a 60 Hz magnetic field of 3 mT exhibited no qualitative or quantitative changes in protein synthesis compared to unexposed cells. Thus small prokaryotic cells (less than 2 microns x 0.5 micron) under constant-temperature conditions do not alter their protein synthesis following exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields at levels at 3 mT.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
A M
AM
Kropinski
W C
WC
Morris
M R
MR
Szewczuk
D001345:Autoradiography / Q000379:methods; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D007700:Kinetics; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D000091243:Ribosomal Protein S9; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D013997:Time Factors
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D000091243:Ribosomal Protein S9; C000717190:RpsI protein, E coli; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D008715:Methionine