Gene-specific modulation of RNA synthesis and degradation by extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields

Pulse-labeling studies from our laboratory and others have shown that extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields can produce a transient increase in gene transcription. In this study, the synthesis, degradation and processing, and steady state levels of specific RNA species during exposure to ELF radiation were deterined in human leukemia HL-60 cells. The overall steady state RNA levels, assessed by continuous and equilibrium labeling with 3 H-uridine, were not affected by ELF exposure. Northern blot analysis using probes specific for c-myc, β-actin, and 45S ribosomal RNA gene products revealed that ELF did not alter the steady state levels of these RNAs