Sinusoidal 60 Hz electromagnetic fields failed to induce changes in protein synthesis in Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli JM83 {F− ara Δ(lac‐proAB) rpsL [ϕ80dΔ(lacZ)M15]} in midlog growth phase at 30 °C were exposed to 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field of 3 mT of nonuniform diverging flux, inducing a nonuniform electric field with a maximum intensity of 32 μV/cm using an inductor coil. Exposed and unexposed control cells were maintained at 30.8 ± 0.1 °C and 30.5 ± 0.1 °C, respectively. Quadruplicate samples of exposed and unexposed E. coli cells were simultaneously radiolabeled with 35S‐L‐methionine at 10 min intervals over 2 hr. Radiochemical incorporation into proteins was analyzed via liquid scintillation counting and by denaturing 12.5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed that E. coli exposed to a 60 Hz magnetic field of 3 mT exhibited no qualitative or quantitative changes in protein synthesis compared to unexposed cells. Thus small prokaryotic cells (less than 2 μm × 0.5 μm) under constant‐temperature conditions do not alter their protein synthesis following exposure to 60 Hz magnetic fields at levels at 3 mT. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.