Glycoproteins bound to ion channels mediate detection of electric fields: A proposed mechanism and supporting evidence

Kolomytkin, Oleg V.; Dunn, Sharon; Hart, Francis X.; Frilot, Clifton; Kolomytkin, Dmitry; Marino, Andrew A.

doi:10.1002/bem.20310

Cited by 22 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…An array of extracellular glycoproteins can also lead to the mechanical transduction of an applied electric field. If this array is connected to the gate of an ion channel, the electrical force experienced by this negatively charged array can be transmitted to the gate, opening the channel [Kolomytkin et al, 2007]. In the present article it is proposed that the electrical force exerted on the extracellular glycoproteins in cartilage can be communicated to the cytoskeleton via their connection to cell-surface integrins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

The mechanical transduction of physiological strength electric fields

Hart

2008

Bioelectromagnetics

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this article it is proposed that electric fields of physiological strength (approximately 100 V/m) are transduced by the mechanical torque they exert on glycoproteins. The resulting mechanical signal is then transmitted to the cytoskeleton and propagated throughout the cell interior. This mechanical coupling is analyzed for transmembrane glycoproteins, such as integrins and the glycocalyx, and for glycoproteins in the extracellular matrix of cartilage. The applied torque is opposed by viscous fluid drag and restoring forces exerted by adjacent molecules in the membrane or cartilage. The resulting system represents a damped, driven harmonic oscillator. The amplitude of oscillation is constant at low frequencies, but falls off rapidly in the range 1-1000 Hz. The transition frequency depends on parameters such as the viscosity of the surrounding fluid and the restoring force exerted by the surrounding structure. The amplitude increases as the fourth power of the length of the transmembrane glycoproteins and as the square of the applied field. This process may operate in concert with other transduction mechanisms, such as the opening of voltage-gated channels and electrodiffusion/osmosis for DC fields.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

The mechanical transduction of physiological strength electric fields

Hart

2008

Bioelectromagnetics

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In vitro studies with bone cells have generally supported the idea that PEMFs can modulate osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and matrix formation [Lohmann et al, 2000;Aaron et al, 2004;Schnoke and Midura, 2007]. Mechanistic evidence for electromagnetic effects on specific osteoblast membrane signaling pathways has been accumulating, but there is no consensus yet on the primary biophysical events [Lohmann et al, 2000;Brighton et al, 2001;Aaron et al, 2002;Haddad et al, 2007;Kolomytkin et al, 2007;Schnoke and Midura, 2007;Fitzsimmons et al, 2008]. Effects on osteoclasts have also recently been reported [Chang et al, 2006].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Electromagnetic effects on forearm disuse osteopenia: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study

Spadaro

Short

Sheehe

et al. 2010

Bioelectromagnetics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, feasibility and dosing study was undertaken to determine if a common pulsing electromagnetic field (PEMF) treatment could moderate the substantial osteopenia that occurs after forearm disuse. Ninety-nine subjects were randomized into four groups after a distal radius fracture, or carpal surgery requiring immobilization in a cast. Active or identical sham PEMF transducers were worn on the distal forearm for 1, 2, or 4 h/day for 8 weeks starting after cast removal ("baseline") when bone density continues to decline. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone geometry were measured in the distal forearm by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at entry ("baseline") and 8, 16, and 24 weeks later. Significant average BMD losses after baseline were observed in the affected forearm at all time points (5-7% distally and 3-4% for the radius/ulna shaft). However, after adjusting for age, gender, and baseline BMD there was no evidence of a positive effect of active versus sham PEMF treatment on bone loss by DXA or pQCT for subjects completing all visits (n = 82, ∼20 per group) and for an intent-to-treat analysis (n = 99). Regardless of PEMF exposure, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) was normal at baseline and 8 weeks, while serum c-terminal collagen teleopeptide (CTX-1) was markedly elevated at baseline and less so at 8 weeks. Although there was substantial variability in disuse osteopenia, these results suggested that the particular PEMF waveform and durations applied did not affect the continuing substantial disuse bone loss in these subjects.

show abstract

“…Whether brain electrical activity is also affected by radio-frequency GSM EMFs is an empirical question. Based on results involving older mobile-phone technology (Marino et al, 2003), a model of a candidate transduction mechanism (Kolomytkin et al, 2007), and empirical observations that the frequency of an EMF is not a primary factor in determining the resulting biological effects (Marino and Becker, 1982a), we think that properly designed and performed studies likely will reveal that mobile-phone radiofrequency EMFs consistently affect human brain electrical activity. If an unmodulated high-frequency mobile-phone field is applied via an antenna, an onset evoked potential with a latency of 100-400 ms will occur, depending on the subject.…”

Section: Analysis Of Reportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Mobile-Phone Electromagnetic Fields on Brain Electrical Activity: A Critical Analysis of the Literature

Marino¹,

Carrubba²

2009

LEBM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We analyzed the reports in which human brain electrical activity was compared between the presence and absence of radio-frequency and low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from mobile phones, or between pre- and post-exposure to the EMFs. Of 55 reports, 37 claimed and 18 denied an EMF-induced effect on either the baseline electro encephalogram (EEG), or on cognitive processing of visual or auditory stimuli as reflected in changes in event-related potentials. The positive reports did not adequately consider the family-wise error rate, the presence of spike artifacts in the EEG, or the confounding role of the two different EMFs. The negative reports contained neither positive controls nor power analyses. Almost all reports were based on the incorrect assumption that the brain was in equilibrium with its surroundings. Overall, the doubt regarding the existence of reproducible mobile-phone EMFs on brain activity created by the reports appeared to legitimate the knowledge claims of the mobile-phone industry. However, it funded, partly or wholly, at least 87% of the reports. From an analysis of their cognitive framework, the common use of disclaimers, the absence of information concerning conflicts of interest, and the industry's donations to the principal EMF journal, we inferred that the doubt was manufactured by the industry. The crucial scientific question of the pathophysiology of mobile-phone EMFs as reflected in measurements of brain electrical activity remains unanswered, and essentially unaddressed.

show abstract

Glycoproteins bound to ion channels mediate detection of electric fields: A proposed mechanism and supporting evidence

Cited by 22 publications

References 20 publications

The mechanical transduction of physiological strength electric fields

The mechanical transduction of physiological strength electric fields

Electromagnetic effects on forearm disuse osteopenia: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study

The Effects of Mobile-Phone Electromagnetic Fields on Brain Electrical Activity: A Critical Analysis of the Literature

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About