Primary research

Possible attenuation of the G2 DNA damage cell cycle checkpoint in HeLa cells by extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields

Paul A Harris¹ , Justin Lamb² , Brian Heaton³ and Denys N Wheatley⁴

¹  Section of Surgery, Division of Clinical Sciences (University of Sheffield), Clinical Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield, S5 7AU, UK

²  Department of Adult Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA

³  Department of BioMedical Physics and BioEngineering, University Medical Buildings, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK

⁴  Department of Cell Pathology, University of Aberdeen, MacRobert Building, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5UA, UK

author email corresponding author email

Cancer Cell International 2002, 2:3doi:10.1186/1475-2867-2-3

Published:	7 May 2002

Abstract

Background

The issue remains unresolved as to whether low frequency magnetic fields can affect cell behaviour, with the possibility that they may be in part responsible for the increased incidence of leukaemia in parts of the population exposed to them.

Methods

Combined treatment of HeLa cells with gamma-irradiation (1, 3 and 5 Grays) and extra low frequency magnetic fields of ~50 Hz was carried out under rigorously controlled conditions.

Results

Synchronised cells progressing from S-phase arrived at mitosis on average marginally ahead of irradiation controls not exposed to ELF. In no instance out of a total of twenty separate experiments did this "double-insult" further delay entry of cells into mitosis, as had been anticipated.

Conclusion

This apparently "non-genotoxic" agent (ELF) appears to be capable of affecting cells that would normally arrest for longer in G2, suggesting a weakening of the stringency of the late cycle (G2) checkpoint.