Abstract
BackgroundWeak magnetic and electromagnetic fields can influence physiological processes in animals, plants and microorganisms, but the underlying way of perception is poorly understood. The ion cyclotron resonance is one of the discussed mechanisms, predicting biological effects for definite frequencies and intensities of electromagnetic fields possibly by affecting the physiological availability of small ions. Above all an influence on Calcium, which is crucial for many life processes, is in the focus of interest. We show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, changes in Ca2+-concentrations can be induced by combinations of magnetic and electromagnetic fields that match Ca2+-ion cyclotron resonance conditions.ResultsAn aequorin expressing Arabidopsis thaliana mutant (Col0-1 Aeq Cy+) was subjected to a magnetic field around 65 microtesla (0.65 Gauss) and an electromagnetic field with the corresponding Ca2+ cyclotron frequency of 50 Hz. The resulting changes in free Ca2+ were monitored by aequorin bioluminescence, using a high sensitive photomultiplier unit. The experiments were referenced by the additional use of wild type plants. Transient increases of cytosolic Ca2+ were observed both after switching the electromagnetic field on and off, with the latter effect decreasing with increasing duration of the electromagnetic impact. Compared with this the uninfluenced long-term loss of bioluminescence activity without any exogenic impact was negligible. The magnetic field effect rapidly decreased if ion cyclotron resonance conditions were mismatched by varying the magnetic fieldstrength, also a dependence on the amplitude of the electromagnetic component was seen.ConclusionConsidering the various functions of Ca2+ as a second messenger in plants, this mechanism may be relevant for perception of these combined fields. The applicability of recently hypothesized mechanisms for the ion cyclotron resonance effect in biological systems is discussed considering it's operating at magnetic field strengths weak enough, to occur occasionally in our all day environment.
Highlights
Weak magnetic and electromagnetic fields can influence physiological processes in animals, plants and microorganisms, but the underlying way of perception is poorly understood
Effects of weak static magnetic (MF) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) on plants were investigated since more three decades, even though the number of studies is small compared to those performed on animals and humans [1]
In our previous long term study [16], we provided indirect evidence for the impact of static magnetic field (MF)+EMF parameterized to the Ca2+-ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) condition, on processes of plant development largely regulated by this ion
Summary
Weak magnetic and electromagnetic fields can influence physiological processes in animals, plants and microorganisms, but the underlying way of perception is poorly understood. Effects of weak static magnetic (MF) and electromagnetic fields (EMF) on plants were investigated since more three decades, even though the number of studies is small compared to those performed on animals and humans [1]. Ferrimagnetic particles were related in several animals to magnetic field perception [4] They were found in plants, e.g. a Festuca species [5], but their size and concentration appear too low for generating a sufficient magnetic force. The mechanism has been studied in detail in vitro, e.g. in photosynthetic systems, but recently cryptochrome-dependent responses were investigated in vivo, e.g. in Arabidopsis [7,8]
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