[Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the expression of microtubule associated protein 2 in rat neurons].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of gene expression in rat neurons induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) and to screen for the RF EMF-responsive genes.


METHODS
Newly-born SD rats in 24 hours were sacrificed to obtain cortex and hippocampus neurons. The cells were divided randomly into two groups: the experiment group (the irradiation group) and the control group (the false irradiation group). In the irradiation group, after twelve days' culture, neurons were exposed to 1.8 GHz RF EMF modulated by 217 Hz at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg for 24 hours (5 minutes on/10 minutes off) while in the false control group, the neurons were put in the same waveguide as in the irradiation group, but were not exposed to any irradiation. The total RNA was isolated and purified immediately after exposure. The affymetrix rat neurobiology U34 assay was used for detecting the changes in gene expression profile according to the manufacturer's instruction. RF EMF-responsive candidate gene was confirmed by using ribonuclease protection assay (RPA).


RESULTS
Among 1200 candidate genes, the expression levels of 34 genes were up or down regulated. Microtubule associated protein 2 (Map2) gene was selected as the candidate and subjected to further analysis. RPA data clearly revealed that Map2 was statistically significantly up-regulated after neurons were exposed to the RF EMF (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The modulation of gene expression and function of Map2 as a neuron specific cytoskeleton protein is crucial to maintain the normal framework and function of neurons. The finding that 1.8 GHz RF EMF exposure increases the expression of Map2 might indicate some unknown effects of RF EMF on neurons.
Zhao
Ran
R
Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310031, China.
Zhang
Shu-zhi
SZ
Yao
Geng-dong
GD
Lu
De-qiang
DQ
Jiang
Huai
H
Xu
Zheng-ping
ZP
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D040421:Cell Phone; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011846:Radio Waves; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015854:Up-Regulation
D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins