The microarray study on the stress gene transcription profile in human retina pigment epithelial cells exposed to microwave radiation.

iu X, Shen H, Shi Y, Chen J, Chen Y, Ji A

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 36(5):291-294, 2002

OBJECTIVE: To study the difference in stress and apoptosis related genes transcription between hTERT-RPE1 cells exposed to simulated microwave radiation and the cells with heat water bath, and the effects of microwave on gene transcription in cultured human retina pigment epithelial cells.

METHODS: cDNA microarray technique was used to detect the mRNA isolated from hTERT-RPE1 cells exposed to 2 450 MHz simulated microwave radiation and with heat water bath, respectively.

RESULTS: Among the 97 related aim genes, there were seven genes up-regulating its transcription, i.e., M31166 (2.52fold), L24123 (2.66fold), AF039704 (2.22fold), U67156 (2.07fold), AF040958 (2.13fold), NM-001423 (2.63fold) and NM-005346 (3.68fold). But, no notably down-regulating gene in transcription was detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Microwave could induce up-regulating in multiple stress and apoptosis related genes transcription in cultured human retina pigment epithelial cells, hTERT-RPE1 cells. Microwave radiation has unique effect itself in addition to its heat effect.