Ets1 oncogene induction by ELF-modulated 50 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field

We have analyzed gene expression in hemopoietic and testicular cell types a fter their exposure to 50 MHz radiofrequency (RF) non-ionizing radiation mo dulated (80%) with a 16 Hz frequency. The exposure system generates a 0.2 m u T magnetic field parallel to the ground and a 60 V/m electric field ortho gonal to the earth's magnetic field. Exposure conditions: were selected so as to interfere with the calcium ion flow. Under these electromagnetic fiel d (EMF) conditions, we observed an overexpression of the ets1 mRNA in Jurka t T-lymphoblastoid and Leydig TM3 cell lines. This effect was observed only in the presence of the 16 Hz modulation, corresponding to the resonance fr equency for calcium ion with a DC magnetic field of 45.7 mu T. We have also identified a putative candidate gene repressed after EMF exposure. The exp erimental model described in this paper may contribute to the understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in EMF effects. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.