Inhibition of F0F1-H+-ATPase activity in ac fields

Initial interactions in electromagnetic field-induced biosynthesis

Low frequency electromagnetic (EM) fields induce gene expression, and recent insights into physical interactions of EM fields with model systems suggest a mechanism that could initiate this process. The consistently low thresholds at which EM fields stimulate biological processes indicate that they require little energy. Since it has been shown that such weak fields accelerate electron transfer reactions, they could stimulate transcription by interacting with electrons in DNA to destabilize the H-bonds holding the two DNA strands together. Such a mechanism is consistent with the low electron affinity of the bases in previously identified electromagnetic response elements (EMREs) needed for EM field interaction with DNA. It is also in line with both endogenous and in vitro stimulation of biosynthesis by electric fields. The frequency response of several EM sensitive biological systems suggests that EM fields require repetition and are most effective at frequencies that coincide with natural rhythms of the processes affected.

Optimal frequencies for magnetic acceleration of cytochrome oxidase and Na,K-ATPase reactions

Low frequency magnetic fields increase the activity of the membrane enzymes, Na,K-ATPase and cytochrome oxidase, and the increased activity varies with frequency. Optimal frequencies for increases in the reaction rate constant of cytochrome oxidase and in the rate of splitting of ATP by Na,K-ATPase differ by an order of magnitude, and are in the ranges of the turnover numbers of the respective enzyme reactions. The two frequency dependence curves are similar in that the slope of the low frequency portion is about 10 times greater than the slope of the high frequency portion. The greater slope indicates greater ability to adjust quickly in the low frequency range, which may be significant for optimal biological control of activity.