Could Microwave Irradiation Cause Misfolding of Peptides?

Abstract

Microwaves have been experimentally shown to affect the folding dynamics of peptides and proteins. Using molecular dynamics, we performed all-atom simulations of a model β-peptide in aqueous solution where individual degrees of freedom of solvent molecules were decoupled to allow for investigation at non-equilibrium microwave-irradiated conditions. An elevated rotational temperature of the water medium was found to significantly affect the conformation of the peptide due to the weakened hydrogen-bonding interactions with the surrounding solvent molecules. Cluster analysis revealed that microwave irradiation can indeed act as a promoter in the formation of new misfolded peptide structures of the hairpin type, which are generally associated with the onset of several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Creutzfeldt−Jakob diseases as well as certain cancer types such as amyloidosis.

Inhibition of ferroptosis alleviates high-power microwave-induced myocardial injury

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Electromagnetic bioeffects: a multiscale molecular simulation perspective

“…144,145 The thermal effects of EF irradiation have been well studied and are easier for interpretation mostly due to the expected inherent denaturation of proteins at increased temperatures. 146–148 The mechanisms of non-thermal EF effects, however, remain poorly understood. This is mostly due to the interconnection of specific EF frequencies and strengths capable of exciting certain vibrational modes of proteins and peptides, causing (sometimes irreversible) structural changes which can affect their structure, behaviour and function.…”

Investigation of Spatial Orientation and Kinetic Energy of Reactive Site Collision between Benzyl Chloride and Piperidine: Novel Insight into the Microwave Nonthermal Effect

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