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Nair PS, Zadeh-Haghighi H, Simon C. Radical pair model for magnetic field effects on NMDA receptor activity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3628. [PMID: 38351304 PMCID: PMC10864372 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54343-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is a prominent player in brain development and functioning. Perturbations to its functioning through external stimuli like magnetic fields can potentially affect the brain in numerous ways. Various studies have shown that magnetic fields of varying strengths affect these receptors. We propose that the radical pair mechanism, a quantum mechanical process, could explain some of these field effects. Radicals of the form [Formula: see text], where R is a protein residue that can be Serine or Tyrosine, are considered for this study. The variation in the singlet fractional yield of the radical pairs, as a function of magnetic field strength, is calculated to understand how the magnetic field affects the products of the radical pair reactions. Based on the results, the radical pair mechanism is a likely candidate for explaining the magnetic field effects observed on the receptor activity. The model predicts changes in the behaviour of the system as magnetic field strength is varied and also predicts certain isotope effects. The results further suggest that similar effects on radical pairs could be a plausible explanation for various magnetic field effects within the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathy S Nair
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517507, India.
| | - Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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2
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Zadeh-Haghighi H, Simon C. Magnetic isotope effects: a potential testing ground for quantum biology. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1338479. [PMID: 38148902 PMCID: PMC10750422 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1338479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
One possible explanation for magnetosensing in biology, such as avian magnetoreception, is based on the spin dynamics of certain chemical reactions that involve radical pairs. Radical pairs have been suggested to also play a role in anesthesia, hyperactivity, neurogenesis, circadian clock rhythm, microtubule assembly, etc. It thus seems critical to probe the credibility of such models. One way to do so is through isotope effects with different nuclear spins. Here we briefly review the papers involving spin-related isotope effects in biology. We suggest studying isotope effects can be an interesting avenue for quantum biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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3
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Sarimov RM, Serov DA, Gudkov SV. Biological Effects of Magnetic Storms and ELF Magnetic Fields. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1506. [PMID: 38132332 PMCID: PMC10740910 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic fields are a constant and essential part of our environment. The main components of ambient magnetic fields are the constant part of the geomagnetic field, its fluctuations caused by magnetic storms, and man-made magnetic fields. These fields refer to extremely-low-frequency (<1 kHz) magnetic fields (ELF-MFs). Since the 1980s, a huge amount of data has been accumulated on the biological effects of magnetic fields, in particular ELF-MFs. However, a unified picture of the patterns of action of magnetic fields has not been formed. Even though a unified mechanism has not yet been generally accepted, several theories have been proposed. In this review, we attempted to take a new approach to analyzing the quantitative data on the effects of ELF-MFs to identify new potential areas for research. This review provides general descriptions of the main effects of magnetic storms and anthropogenic fields on living organisms (molecular-cellular level and whole organism) and a brief description of the main mechanisms of magnetic field effects on living organisms. This review may be of interest to specialists in the fields of biology, physics, medicine, and other interdisciplinary areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sergey V. Gudkov
- Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Vavilova Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (R.M.S.); (D.A.S.)
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Burtscher J, Hohenauer E, Burtscher M, Millet GP, Egg M. Environmental and behavioral regulation of HIF-mitochondria crosstalk. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 206:63-73. [PMID: 37385566 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Reduced oxygen availability (hypoxia) can lead to cell and organ damage. Therefore, aerobic species depend on efficient mechanisms to counteract detrimental consequences of hypoxia. Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) and mitochondria are integral components of the cellular response to hypoxia and coordinate both distinct and highly intertwined adaptations. This leads to reduced dependence on oxygen, improved oxygen supply, maintained energy provision by metabolic remodeling and tapping into alternative pathways and increased resilience to hypoxic injuries. On one hand, many pathologies are associated with hypoxia and hypoxia can drive disease progression, for example in many cancer and neurological diseases. But on the other hand, controlled induction of hypoxia responses via HIFs and mitochondria can elicit profound health benefits and increase resilience. To tackle pathological hypoxia conditions or to apply health-promoting hypoxia exposures efficiently, cellular and systemic responses to hypoxia need to be well understood. Here we first summarize the well-established link between HIFs and mitochondria in orchestrating hypoxia-induced adaptations and then outline major environmental and behavioral modulators of their interaction that remain poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Burtscher
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Erich Hohenauer
- Rehabilitation and Exercise Science Laboratory (RES Lab), Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Landquart, Switzerland; International University of Applied Sciences THIM, Landquart, Switzerland; Department of Neurosciences and Movement Science, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland; Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martin Burtscher
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Grégoire P Millet
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Margit Egg
- Institute of Zoology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Thöni V, Mauracher D, Ramalingam A, Fiechtner B, Sandbichler AM, Egg M. Quantum based effects of therapeutic nuclear magnetic resonance persistently reduce glycolysis. iScience 2022; 25:105536. [PMID: 36444297 PMCID: PMC9700021 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Electromagnetic fields are known to induce the clock protein cryptochrome to modulate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the quantum based radical pair mechanism (RPM) in mammalian cells. Recently, therapeutic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (tNMR) was shown to alter protein levels of the circadian clock associated Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) in a nonlinear dose response relationship. Using synchronized NIH3T3 cells, we show that tNMR under normoxia and hypoxia persistently modifies cellular metabolism. After normoxic tNMR treatment, glycolysis is reduced, as are lactate production, extracellular acidification rate, the ratio of ADP/ATP and cytosolic ROS, whereas mitochondrial and extracellular ROS, as well as cellular proliferation are increased. Remarkably, these effects are even more pronounced after hypoxic tNMR treatment, driving cellular metabolism to a reduced glycolysis while mitochondrial respiration is kept constant even during reoxygenation. Hence, we propose tNMR as a potential therapeutic tool in ischemia driven diseases like inflammation, infarct, stroke and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Thöni
- Institute of Zoology, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol A-6020, Austria
| | - David Mauracher
- Institute of Zoology, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol A-6020, Austria
| | - Anil Ramalingam
- Institute of Zoology, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol A-6020, Austria
| | - Birgit Fiechtner
- Institute of Zoology, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol A-6020, Austria
| | | | - Margit Egg
- Institute of Zoology, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Tyrol A-6020, Austria
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Ramsay J, Kattnig DR. Radical triads, not pairs, may explain effects of hypomagnetic fields on neurogenesis. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010519. [PMID: 36108063 PMCID: PMC9514667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis and hippocampus-dependent cognition in mice have been found to be adversely affected by hypomagnetic field exposure. The effect concurred with a reduction of reactive oxygen species in the absence of the geomagnetic field. A recent theoretical study suggests a mechanistic interpretation of this phenomenon in the framework of the Radical Pair Mechanism. According to this model, a flavin-superoxide radical pair, born in the singlet spin configuration, undergoes magnetic field-dependent spin dynamics such that the pair's recombination is enhanced as the applied magnetic field is reduced. This model has two ostensible weaknesses: a) the assumption of a singlet initial state is irreconcilable with known reaction pathways generating such radical pairs, and b) the model neglects the swift spin relaxation of free superoxide, which abolishes any magnetic sensitivity in geomagnetic/hypomagnetic fields. We here suggest that a model based on a radical triad and the assumption of a secondary radical scavenging reaction can, in principle, explain the phenomenon without unnatural assumptions, thus providing a coherent explanation of hypomagnetic field effects in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jess Ramsay
- Living Systems Institute and Department of Physics, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel R. Kattnig
- Living Systems Institute and Department of Physics, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
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Zadeh-Haghighi H, Simon C. Magnetic field effects in biology from the perspective of the radical pair mechanism. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220325. [PMID: 35919980 PMCID: PMC9346374 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of studies have found that weak magnetic fields can significantly influence various biological systems. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these phenomena remain elusive. Remarkably, the magnetic energies implicated in these effects are much smaller than thermal energies. Here, we review these observations, and we suggest an explanation based on the radical pair mechanism, which involves the quantum dynamics of the electron and nuclear spins of transient radical molecules. While the radical pair mechanism has been studied in detail in the context of avian magnetoreception, the studies reviewed here show that magnetosensitivity is widespread throughout biology. We review magnetic field effects on various physiological functions, discussing static, hypomagnetic and oscillating magnetic fields, as well as isotope effects. We then review the radical pair mechanism as a potential unifying model for the described magnetic field effects, and we discuss plausible candidate molecules for the radical pairs. We review recent studies proposing that the radical pair mechanism provides explanations for isotope effects in xenon anaesthesia and lithium treatment of hyperactivity, magnetic field effects on the circadian clock, and hypomagnetic field effects on neurogenesis and microtubule assembly. We conclude by discussing future lines of investigation in this exciting new area of quantum biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
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Rishabh R, Zadeh-Haghighi H, Salahub D, Simon C. Radical pairs may explain reactive oxygen species-mediated effects of hypomagnetic field on neurogenesis. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010198. [PMID: 35653379 PMCID: PMC9197044 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposures to a hypomagnetic field can affect biological processes. Recently, it has been observed that hypomagnetic field exposure can adversely affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis and hippocampus-dependent cognition in mice. In the same study, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hypomagnetic field effects has been demonstrated. However, the mechanistic reasons behind this effect are not clear. This study proposes a radical pair mechanism based on a flavin-superoxide radical pair to explain the modulation of ROS production and the attenuation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in a hypomagnetic field. The results of our calculations favor a singlet-born radical pair over a triplet-born radical pair. Our model predicts hypomagnetic field effects on the triplet/singlet yield of comparable strength as the effects observed in experimental studies on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Our predictions are in qualitative agreement with experimental results on superoxide concentration and other observed ROS effects. We also predict the effects of applied magnetic fields and oxygen isotopic substitution on adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh Rishabh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dennis Salahub
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Simulation, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Zadeh-Haghighi H, Simon C. Radical pairs may play a role in microtubule reorganization. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6109. [PMID: 35414166 PMCID: PMC9005667 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10068-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The exact mechanism behind general anesthesia remains an open question in neuroscience. It has been proposed that anesthetics selectively prevent consciousness and memory via acting on microtubules (MTs). It is known that the magnetic field modulates MT organization. A recent study shows that a radical pair model can explain the isotope effect in xenon-induced anesthesia and predicts magnetic field effects on anesthetic potency. Further, reactive oxygen species are also implicated in MT stability and anesthesia. Based on a simple radical pair mechanism model and a simple mathematical model of MT organization, we show that magnetic fields can modulate spin dynamics of naturally occurring radical pairs in MT. We propose that the spin dynamics influence a rate in the reaction cycle, which translates into a change in the MT density. We can reproduce magnetic field effects on the MT concentration that have been observed. Our model also predicts additional effects at slightly higher fields. Our model further predicts that the effect of zinc on the MT density exhibits isotopic dependence. The findings of this work make a connection between microtubule-based and radical pair-based quantum theories of consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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