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Mechanism of a short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequency.

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Friedman J, Kraus S, Hauptman Y, Schiff Y, Seger R. · 2007

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Cell phone radiation triggers a molecular chain reaction in cells starting with oxidative stress, though this particular study was later retracted.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers studied how cell phone radiation affects cellular signaling pathways within cells. They discovered that mobile phone frequencies trigger a specific chain reaction: the radiation causes cells to produce reactive oxygen species (free radicals), which then activate enzymes that release growth factors, ultimately switching on cellular processes that control gene expression. This was the first study to map out the complete molecular pathway showing how non-thermal cell phone radiation directly affects cellular function.

Why This Matters

This research was groundbreaking because it provided the first detailed molecular explanation for how cell phone radiation affects living cells, even at non-thermal levels that don't heat tissue. The study identified a specific biochemical cascade triggered by mobile phone frequencies, starting with oxidative stress and ending with changes in gene expression. However, readers should know this study was retracted in 2024 after an expression of concern was issued in 2020, likely due to questions about research integrity or reproducibility. While the retraction doesn't necessarily invalidate the biological mechanisms described, it does highlight the importance of independent replication in EMF research. The broader scientific literature continues to document various cellular effects from radiofrequency exposure, making this an active area of investigation despite controversies around individual studies.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

In the present study, we have studied the immediate effect of irradiation on the MAPK cascades

Found that ERKs, but not stress-related MAPKs, are rapidly activated in response to various frequenc...

Thus this study demonstrates for the first time a detailed molecular mechanism by which electromagnetic irradiation from mobile phones induces the activation of the ERK cascade and thereby induces transcription and other cellular processes.

Cite This Study
Friedman J, Kraus S, Hauptman Y, Schiff Y, Seger R. (2007). Mechanism of a short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequency. Biochem J. 405:559-568, 2007.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_2007_mechanism_of_a_shortterm_2088,
  author = {Friedman J and Kraus S and Hauptman Y and Schiff Y and Seger R.},
  title = {Mechanism of a short-term ERK activation by electromagnetic fields at mobile phone frequency.},
  year = {2007},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17456048/},
}
PubMed: 17456048

Cited By (301 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

Cell phone radiation first activates NADH oxidase in the cell membrane, which produces reactive oxygen species. These free radicals then stimulate matrix metalloproteinases to release growth factors, ultimately activating the ERK signaling cascade that controls gene expression.
Mobile phone frequencies cause cells to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are free radicals generated by NADH oxidase. This 2007 study showed ROS production is the first step in how cell phone radiation affects cellular signaling pathways.
Yes, mobile phone radiation triggers the release of heparin-binding EGF growth factor. The radiation creates reactive oxygen species that stimulate enzymes to cleave and release this growth factor, which then activates cellular receptors and signaling cascades.
Cell phone EMF indirectly affects matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through reactive oxygen species. The radiation first generates ROS via NADH oxidase, and these free radicals then directly stimulate MMPs to release growth factors from cell surfaces.
The complete molecular pathway starts with NADH oxidase producing reactive oxygen species, which activate matrix metalloproteinases to release growth factors. These factors then trigger EGF receptors and ERK cascades, demonstrating how non-thermal radiation affects cellular processes.