ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELD EXPOSURE INDUCES RAPID, TRANSITORY HEAT-SHOCK FACTOR ACTIVATION IN HUMAN-CELLS

Stimulation of human promyelocytic HL60 cells by a 60Hz magnetic field at normal growth temperatures results in heat shock factor 1 activati on and heat shock element binding, a sequence of events that mediates the stress-induced transcription of the stress gene HSP70 and increase d synthesis of the stress response protein hsp70kD. Thus, the events m ediating the electromagnetic field-stimulated stress response appear t o be similar to those reported for other physiological stresses (e.g., hyperthermia, heavy metals, oxidative stress) and could well be the g eneral mechanism of interaction of electromagnetic fields with cells. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.