Conformational changes in natural biopolymers induced by electromagnetic field and cadmium ion exposure

Abstract

This research was aimed to study a combined influence of a low-intensity electromagnetic field (EMF) with 5-30 Hz frequency in presence of cadmium ions on structural changes in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and human seralbumin (HSA). Special attention is paid to HSA, as it transports drug molecules and bound ligands. Changes that occur with DNA and HSA after exposure to EMF and cadmium ions are studied using the method of fluorescence spectroscopy. Material and Methods ― Aqueous solutions of HSA and DNA were the objects of this study. They were extracted from whole blood samples obtained from volunteers. The samples were processed for 10 minutes with EMF intensity at 24±4 А/m and frequency increased stepwise by 2 Hz. Results ― It was shown that after HSA and DNA were treated by EMF and cadmium ions, there was a significant increase in their fluorescence intensity when compared to control solutions, which reflects building of cadmium ions into DNA double helix as an intercalating agent and a disbalance in nucleic acid metabolism as well. When concentration of cadmium ions in aqueous HSA solution was as high as 102 maximum acceptable concentration there was a softening of protein globules of HSA molecules within their native structure without complete protein denaturation. Conclusion ― A conclusion was made that combined exposure of studied factors on DNA and HSA molecules leads to a more significant change in structure of these biopolymers when compared to separate exposure of low-intensity EMF and cadmium ions.

Keywords

• cadmium
• deoxyribonucleic acid
• fluorescence spectroscopy
• electromagnetic field
• human seralbumin