Title:Electromagnetic Fields Act Similarly in Plants as in Animals: Probable Activation of Calcium Channels via Their Voltage Sensor
VOLUME: 10 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Martin L. Pall
Affiliation:Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences, Washington State University, 638 NE 41st Ave., Portland, OR 97232-3312, USA.
Keywords:Microwave frequency non-thermal effects, calcium signaling, ion channel evolution, EMFs as
an environmental stressor, free radicals including hydroxyl, carbonate and NO2 radicals.
Abstract:It has been shown that low intensity microwave/lower frequency
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) act in animals via activation of voltage-gated
calcium channels (VGCCs) in the plasma membrane, producing excessive
intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i, with excessive [Ca2+]i leading to both pathophysiological
and also in some cases therapeutic effects. The pathophysiological
effects are produced largely through excessive [Ca2+]i signaling including
excessive nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, peroxynitrite, free radical
formation and consequent oxidative stress. The activation of the VGCCs is
thought to be produced via EMF impact on the VGCC voltage sensor, with
the physical properties of that voltage sensor predicting that it is extraordinarily sensitive to
these EMFs. It is shown here that the action of EMFs in terrestrial, multicellular (embryophyte)
plants is probably similar to the action in animals in most but not all respects, with
calcium channel activation in the plasma membrane leading to excessive [Ca2+]i, leading in
turn to most if not all of the biological effects. A number of studies in plants are briefly reviewed
which are consistent with and supportive of such a mechanism. Plant channels most
plausibly to be involved, are the so-called two pore channels (TPCs), which have a voltage
sensor similar to those found in the animal VGCCs.
