The Screening of Genes Sensitive to Long-Term, Low-Level Microwave Exposure and Bioinformatic Analysis of Potential Correlations to Learning and Memory

Objective To gain a better understanding of gene expression changes in the brain following microwave exposure in mice. This study hopes to reveal mechanisms contributing to microwave-induced learning and memory dysfunction. Methods Mice were exposed to whole body 2100 MHz microwaves with specific absorption rates (SARs) of 0.45 W/kg, 1.8 W/kg, and 3.6 W/kg for 1 hour daily for 8 weeks. Differentially expressing genes in the brains were screened using high-density oligonucleotide arrays, with genes showing more significant differences further confirmed by RT-PCR. Results The gene chip results demonstrated that 41 genes (0.45 W/kg group), 29 genes (1.8 W/kg group), and 219 genes (3.6 W/kg group) were differentially expressed. GO analysis revealed that these differentially expressed genes were primarily involved in metabolic processes, cellular metabolic processes, regulation of biological processes, macromolecular metabolic processes, biosynthetic processes, cellular protein metabolic processes, transport, developmental processes, cellular component organization, etc. KEGG pathway analysis showed that these genes are mainly involved in pathways related to ribosome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, long-term potentiation, Huntington's disease, and Neurotrophin signaling. Construction of a protein interaction network identified several important regulatory genes including synbindin (sbdn), Crystallin (CryaB), PPP1CA, Ywhaq, Psap, Psmb1, Pcbp2, etc., which play important roles in the processes of learning and memory. Conclusion Long-term, low-level microwave exposure may inhibit learning and memory by affecting protein and energy metabolic processes and signaling pathways relating to neurological functions or diseases.

Long-Term, Low-Level Microwave Radiation Impairs Learning and Memory via Synbindin: Molecular Basis and Underlying Mechanism

Human beings are usually exposed to microwaves originated from the equipment in industry,communication,military,and aerospace,which has led to interest in health effects of long-term low level microwave radiation exposure,particularly on the brain,one of the most sensitive organs to microwaves[1].Morris water maze,oxidative stress related typical markers of corticosteroids(CORT),malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and total antioxidant capacity(TAOC),ultrastructure,dendritic spine growth and molecular signaling pathway are important indicators in the study of learning and memory effects[2].Among them,Synbindin(Sbdn),closely associated to dendritic spine growth,learning and memory,was found to be a remarkable microwave sensitive molecule in our previous work[3]..Additionally,it’s well known that both the CA1 and Dentate Gyrus(DG)regions of the hippocampus are involved in learning and memory,however studies on the effect of microwave on DG region were less,so,this paper further focused on DG region in the study of dendrite spine,ultrastructure of neurons and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase(pERK)protein expression.Therefore,Synbindin was focused on and the above indicators were integrated in this paper to study the influence and mechanism of long-term low-intensity 2,100 MHz microwave on learning and memory.

Effects on the Behavior and Neuroimmunity of Pulsed Microwaves with Different Peak Densities

Pulsed microwaves are widely used inradar,navigation, and communication. The average power density is low at narrow pulse widths or large pulse intervals,but pulsed microwaves at certain peak densities exert numerous biological effects, including