Abstract
The Kryptopterus bicirrhis (glass catfish) is known to respond to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Here we tested its avoidance behavior in response to static and alternating magnetic fields stimulation. Using expression cloning we identified an electromagnetic perceptive gene (EPG) from the K. bicirrhis encoding a protein that responds to EMF. This EPG gene was cloned and expressed in mammalian cells, neuronal cultures and in rat’s brain. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of EPG is confined to the mammalian cell membrane. Calcium imaging in mammalian cells and cultured neurons expressing EPG demonstrated that remote activation by EMF significantly increases intracellular calcium concentrations, indicative of cellular excitability. Moreover, wireless magnetic activation of EPG in rat motor cortex induced motor evoked responses of the contralateral forelimb in vivo. Here we report on the development of a new technology for remote, non-invasive modulation of cell function.
Highlights
The majority of the technologies available to manipulate cellular function in a cell- and spatiotemporal-specific manner demand the use of optics[1,2,3,4,5,6,7], drugs[8,9,10], radio-wave heating[11,12,13] or ultrasound[14]
Evidence suggests that electromagnetic fields (EMF) induction results in immediate calcium influx in the electroreceptors cells of the ampullary organs[18], which are located under the fins
Identification of a protein that is remotely activated by non-invasive EMF is an unmet need that could complement the growing arsenal of technologies dedicated to the external control of cellular activity in vivo
Summary
The majority of the technologies available to manipulate cellular function in a cell- and spatiotemporal-specific manner demand the use of optics[1,2,3,4,5,6,7], drugs[8,9,10], radio-wave heating[11,12,13] or ultrasound[14]. While it is known that various aquatic species use the Earth’s magnetic and electric fields for orientation, navigation and detection of prey and predators[17], the cellular mechanisms for the same remains unknown. One such organism, Kryptopterus bicirrhis, a fresh water fish, contains an ampullary organ dedicated to sense EMF17. Identification of a protein that is remotely activated by non-invasive EMF is an unmet need that could complement the growing arsenal of technologies dedicated to the external control of cellular activity in vivo
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