Microwave fields have little effect on α‐synuclein aggregation in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Potential health effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation from mobile phones arouse widespread public concern. RF fields from handheld devices near the brain might trigger or aggravate brain tumors or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Aggregation of neural α-synuclein (S) is central to PD pathophysiology, and invertebrate models expressing human S have helped elucidate factors affecting the aggregation process. We have recently developed a transgenic strain of Caenorhabditis elegans carrying two S constructs: SC tagged with cyan (C) blue fluorescent protein (CFP), and SV with the Venus (V) variant of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). During S aggregation in these SC+SV worms, CFP, and YFP tags are brought close enough to allow Foerster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). As a positive control, S aggregation was promoted at low Hg(2+) concentrations, whereas higher concentrations activated stress-response genes. Using two different exposure systems described previously, we tested whether RF fields (1.0 GHz CW, 0.002-0.02 W kg(-1); 1.8 GHz CW or GSM, 1.8 W kg(-1)) could influence S aggregation in SC+SV worms. YFP fluorescence in similar SV-only worms provided internal controls, which should show opposite changes due to FRET quenching during S aggregation. No statistically significant changes were observed over several independent runs at 2.5, 24, or 96 h. Although our worm model is sensitive to chemical promoters of aggregation, no similar effects were attributable to RF exposures.

Anti‐Parkinson's Disease Function of Dioscin‐Zein‐Carboxymethyl Cellulose Nanocomplex in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…C. elegans has also been widely used as PD models since it also shows increased levels of human α‐synuclein associated with PD. [ 16–18 ] In the previous report, DO was found to exhibit neuroprotective effects on the brains of rats by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. [ 19 ] In this study, we investigate the prevention of dopaminergic neuronal dysregulation in C. elegans using DO‐loaded zein‐CMC (DZC) complex.…”

Pulsed Telecommunication Signals of Non-ionizing Radiation Affect Amyloid Precursor Protein and α-Synuclein Metabolism in Non-neural Human Cells

“…Although it has been reported that α-syn tetramers have a small possibility to contribute to aggregates formation [53].the dramatic increase in toxic monomeric α-syn could greatly contribute to the increased levels of multimerization observed in our results following exposure. Although dePomerai [54] did not find any synuclein aggregation following two modes of exposure in the nematode C. elegans, we have to point out that this model system is largely resistant to Radiofrequency exposure as found by our own experimental data [55].…”

Neuroprotective Effects of Betulin in Pharmacological and Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Parkinson’s Disease

“…These assays have further applications for inexpensive rapid examination and screening of PD treatments. 10 , 67 , 68 …”

“…These assays have further applications for inexpensive rapid examination and screening of PD treatments. 10,67,68 DA neurons are more vulnerable to oxidative stress in the 6-OHDA model because this compound generates reactive oxygen species, which are the primary regulators of neuronal apoptosis and death. In particular, 6-OHDA generates the superoxide radical.…”

“… 7 Furthermore, overexpression of α-syn or 3 major mutations (A53T, A30P, and E46) in the α-helical domain of this gene induce oligomer/fibril formation and are associated with sporadic and familial PD. 8 , 9 Increased levels of human α-syn have also been observed in Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ) models, 10 – 12 and are associated with neurodegeneration.…”