EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC-FIELDS ON CELL-FREE TRANSCRIPTION IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI AND HELA EXTRACTS

We have previously shown that exposing an E. coli cell-free extract co ntaining plasmids that express alpha or beta RNA polymerase to 72 Hz, 0.07-1.1 mT (rms) and 45 Hz, 1.1 mT sinusoidal magnetic fields enhance d the rate of expression (combined transcription and translation). The experiments reported here were designed to determine whether the enha nced expression at 45 Hz, 1.1 mT was a result of altered transcription . In addition, magnetic field effects on eukaryotic transcription was examined in a cell-free HeLa nuclear extract containing a c-myc plasmi d. The analysis of MF-exposed and non-exposed E. coli transcription ov er 1, 3, 5 and 7 min only showed a statistically significant differenc es following 5 min exposure. A significant enhancement in mRNA transcr iption of c-myc was obtained in the HeLa nuclear extract at 5 and 7 mi n. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.