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DNA & Genetic Damage

Study of p53 expression and post-transcriptional modifications after GSM-900 radiofrequency exposure of human amniotic cells.

No Effects Found

Bourthoumieu S, Magnaudeix A, Terro F, Leveque P, Collin A, Yardin C. · 2012

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GSM cell phone radiation didn't activate p53 tumor suppressor protein in embryonic cells at levels up to double current phone SAR limits.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed human embryonic cells to cell phone radiation (GSM-900 MHz) for 24 hours at various intensities to see if it would activate p53, a crucial protein that helps protect cells from DNA damage and cancer. The study found no significant changes in p53 expression or activation at any exposure level tested, including levels up to 4 W/kg. This suggests that GSM cell phone radiation may not trigger this particular cellular stress response in embryonic cells.

Why This Matters

This study examines a critical question in EMF research: whether cell phone radiation can activate p53, often called the "guardian of the genome" for its role in protecting cells from becoming cancerous. The researchers tested exposure levels up to 4 W/kg, which is double the current SAR limit for cell phones (2 W/kg) and well above typical phone usage levels of 0.1-1.5 W/kg. While the negative findings might seem reassuring, they represent just one cellular pathway in one cell type. The reality is that p53 activation is only one of many potential mechanisms by which RF radiation could affect cellular function. The broader body of research on EMF and cellular effects shows mixed results, with some studies finding DNA damage and others finding none. What this means for you is that this single study, while well-conducted, doesn't close the book on EMF safety concerns.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.25, 1, 2 and 4 W/kg
Source/Device
GSM-900 MHz
Exposure Duration
24 hours

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.25, 1, 2 and 4 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 6 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the exposure to RF electromagnetic fields, similar to those emitted by mobile phones of the second generation standard, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may induce expression of the p53 protein and its activation by post-translational modifications in cultured human cells.

The potential induction of p53 expression and activation by GSM-900 was investigated after in vitro ...

According to our results, no significant changes in the expression and activation of the p53 protein...

Cite This Study
Bourthoumieu S, Magnaudeix A, Terro F, Leveque P, Collin A, Yardin C. (2012). Study of p53 expression and post-transcriptional modifications after GSM-900 radiofrequency exposure of human amniotic cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 2012 Jul 5. doi: 10.1002/bem.21744.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2012_study_of_p53_expression_2961,
  author = {Bourthoumieu S and Magnaudeix A and Terro F and Leveque P and Collin A and Yardin C.},
  title = {Study of p53 expression and post-transcriptional modifications after GSM-900 radiofrequency exposure of human amniotic cells.},
  year = {2012},
  doi = {10.1002/bem.21744},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bem.21744},
}
DOI: 10.1002/bem.21744

Cited By (20 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

No, a 2012 study found that GSM-900 MHz radiation did not activate p53 protein in human embryonic cells. Researchers exposed cells for 24 hours at levels up to 4 W/kg and found no significant changes in p53 expression or activation through phosphorylation at key sites.
This specific study suggests GSM-900 MHz radiation up to 4 W/kg does not trigger p53-mediated cellular stress responses in human embryonic cells. However, this examines only one protective mechanism, and embryonic development involves many other cellular processes that require further research.
Research on human embryonic cells exposed to GSM-900 MHz radiation for 24 hours found no activation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, even at high exposure levels. This suggests this frequency may not trigger this particular DNA damage response pathway in developing cells.
A controlled study found that 24-hour exposure to GSM-900 MHz radiation did not impair p53 protein function in human embryonic cells. The p53 protein remained unchanged at all tested radiation levels, suggesting this cellular DNA protection mechanism stays intact during exposure.
No, GSM-900 MHz radiation exposure did not affect p53 phosphorylation at serine 15 and 37 sites in human embryonic cells. These phosphorylation sites are critical for p53 activation during DNA damage responses, but remained unaffected after 24-hour radiation exposure.