title: Are the conformational dynamics and the ligand binding properties of myoglobin affected by exposure to microwave radiation?
abstract: The global uptake of mobile communication emphasizes the question about possible adverse consequences of the exposure to low-level radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones on human health as result of so-called "non-thermal effects". In order to state safety guidelines it seems appropriate to start by excluding, if possible, non-specific effects on structural and dynamic properties of fundamental biomolecules such as proteins. Proteins are flexible polyelectrolytes; thus, they are susceptible, in principle, to the action of electromagnetic fields. In this article, we investigated the effects of microwaves on structural and functional properties of Tunnus tynnus myoglobin at 1.95 GHz, a frequency used by new wireless microwave communication systems. The protein solution was exposed for 2.5 h to 51 mW/g SAR (specific absorption rate) level. Measurements of absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism and fluorescence emission decay in the frequency domain do not exhibit any influence of the radiation on the native structural state of protein macromolecules.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biochimica e Biofisica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy. ettore.bismuto@unina2.it
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bismuto
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancinelli
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: d'Ambrosio
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Massa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008872:Microwaves; D009038:Motion; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000528:radiation effects; D011487:Protein Conformation / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D014413:Tuna / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009211:Myoglobin; D002245:Carbon Dioxide