Variable magnetic fields modify function of Cys-loop receptors

TOLOSA M. F.; CRAVERO W; BOUZAT C

Huerta Grande, Córdoba

Congreso; II Reunión Conjunta de Neurociencias; 2010

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias

In today´s world, technological developments bring social and economical benefits to the society; however, the health consequences of these developments can be difficult to predict and manage. With rapid advances in communication technologies, population is increasingly exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which have raised concern about potential health effects from exposure to them. We here studied the influence of low intensity EMFs on members of the Cys-loop receptor family, nicotinic (AChR) and 5HT3A receptor. We recorded macroscopic currents from cells expressing these receptors exposed to EMFs before or during agonist application. Peak currents are reduced by the exposure to EMFs at frequencies varying from 15 Hz to 120 kHz whereas the decay time constants are not affected.  The decrease in the peak current is dependent on both the frequency of the field applied and the membrane potential. Interestingly, the effect of EMFs on 5HT3A receptor currents is 3-times more profound than on AChR currents, thus indicating different sensitivity of the receptors to EMFs. In conclusion, our results reveal that EMFs affect function of ligand-gated ion channels and open doors to understand the mechanistic of channel modulation.