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Fifty-Hertz Magnetic Field Affects the Epigenetic Modulation of the miR-34b/c in Neuronal Cells.

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Consales C, Cirotti C, Filomeni G, Panatta M, Butera A, Merla C, Lopresto V, Pinto R, Marino C, Benassi B. · 2018

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Power-frequency magnetic fields can alter gene regulation in brain cells and increase proteins linked to Parkinson's disease.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human brain cells and mouse neurons to 50-Hz magnetic fields (the type from power lines) at 1 milliTesla and found significant changes in gene regulation. The magnetic fields altered microRNAs (small molecules that control gene expression) and increased production of alpha-synuclein, a protein linked to Parkinson's disease. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields may disrupt normal brain cell function through epigenetic changes that could predispose neurons to degeneration.

Why This Matters

This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which power-frequency magnetic fields may affect brain health. The researchers found that 50-Hz magnetic fields at 1 milliTesla can alter the epigenetic control of gene expression in neurons, specifically affecting microRNAs that regulate cellular stress responses. What makes this particularly significant is the connection to alpha-synuclein, a protein whose accumulation is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. The 1 milliTesla exposure level used in this study is quite high compared to typical residential exposures from power lines (usually measured in microTesla), but it's within the range that could occur in certain occupational settings or very close proximity to high-voltage lines. The science demonstrates that EMF exposure can trigger molecular changes that may contribute to neurodegeneration, adding to the growing body of evidence suggesting we need stronger protective measures for both workers and the public.

Exposure Details

Magnetic Field
1 mG
Source/Device
50-Hz

Exposure Context

This study used 1 mG for magnetic fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1 mGExtreme Concern - 5 mGFCC Limit - 2,000 mGEffects observed in the Severe Concern rangeFCC limit is 2,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

We here aimed at assessing if the control of gene expression mediated by miRNAs, namely miRs-34, has any roles in driving neuronal cell response to 50-Hz (1 mT) magnetic field in vitro.

We demonstrate that ELF-MFs drive an early reduction of the expression level of miR-34b and miR-34c ...

This modulation is not p53 dependent, but attributable to the hyper-methylation of the CpG island ma...

We finally demonstrate that ELF-MFs alter the expression of the α-synuclein, which is specifically stimulated upon ELF-MFs exposure via both direct miR-34 targeting and oxidative stress. Altogether, our data highlight the potential of the ELF-MFs to tune redox homeostasis and epigenetic control of gene expression in vitro and shed light on the possible mechanism(s) producing detrimental effects and predisposing neurons to degeneration.

Cite This Study
Consales C, Cirotti C, Filomeni G, Panatta M, Butera A, Merla C, Lopresto V, Pinto R, Marino C, Benassi B. (2018). Fifty-Hertz Magnetic Field Affects the Epigenetic Modulation of the miR-34b/c in Neuronal Cells. Mol Neurobiol. 55(7):5698-5718, 2018.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2018_fiftyhertz_magnetic_field_affects_620,
  author = {Consales C and Cirotti C and Filomeni G and Panatta M and Butera A and Merla C and Lopresto V and Pinto R and Marino C and Benassi B.},
  title = {Fifty-Hertz Magnetic Field Affects the Epigenetic Modulation of the miR-34b/c in Neuronal Cells.},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1007/s12035-017-0791-0},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12035-017-0791-0},
}
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0791-0

Cited By (4 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2018 study found that 50 Hz magnetic fields at 1 milliTesla significantly altered microRNA expression in human brain cells and mouse neurons. These changes affected genes that control cellular function, suggesting power line frequencies can disrupt normal brain cell gene regulation through epigenetic modifications.
Research shows that 50 Hz magnetic field exposure increases alpha-synuclein protein production in brain cells. This protein accumulation is associated with Parkinson's disease development. The study found this increase occurred through both direct microRNA targeting and oxidative stress mechanisms in neuronal cells.
Exposure to 1 milliTesla 50 Hz magnetic fields disrupts mitochondrial function in brain cells by altering microRNA-34 expression. This leads to increased reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial oxidative stress, potentially compromising cellular energy production and contributing to neuronal degeneration over time.
Yes, extremely low frequency magnetic fields at 50 Hz cause hyper-methylation of DNA in brain cells, specifically affecting the miR-34b/c gene promoter region. This epigenetic change alters gene expression patterns and may predispose neurons to degenerative processes through disrupted cellular control mechanisms.
No, antioxidants like N-acetyl-l-cysteine and glutathione ethyl-ester failed to restore normal microRNA expression in brain cells exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields. This suggests the gene expression changes occur through mechanisms independent of oxidative stress, making standard antioxidant protection ineffective.