Impact of a Terahertz electromagnetic field on the ion permeation of potassium and sodium channels
Abstract
Category: Biophysics Tags: Terahertz, electromagnetic field, ion channels, potassium channels, sodium channels, molecular dynamics, channel conductance DOI: 10.1038/s42004-025-01503-4 URL: nature.com Overview Ion channels play a crucial role in physiological processes, and their dysfunction is linked to numerous diseases. Prior studies suggest that Terahertz electromagnetic fields (THz-EMF) can modify channel conductance by influencing the motion of specific chemical groups within ion channels, thereby affecting neural electric signals. Findings - Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to systematically explore the impact of THz-EMF on voltage-gated potassium and sodium channels, especially focusing on bound ions in the selectivity filters—an area not extensively studied previously. - The study identified multiple new characteristic frequencies: - 1.4, 2.2, or 2.9 THz fields increase ion permeability of Kv1.2 potassium channels - 2.5 or 48.6 THz fields enhance ion permeability of Nav1.5 sodium channels - The effects are specific to both frequency and direction of the applied electric field, which are determined by intrinsic oscillation motions either of the permeating ions within the selectivity filter or certain channel chemical groups. - There is a positive correlation between THz field amplitude and the degree of change in ion permeation. Conclusion This research provides evidence that terahertz electromagnetic fields can specifically regulate ion channel conductance through several mechanisms. These findings indicate a notable interaction between electromagnetic field exposure and biological ion channels, highlighting potential risks and biomedical applications. Importantly, the results reinforce that electromagnetic field exposure at specific frequencies and amplitudes can modulate key biophysical processes linked to health effects.
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
Molecular dynamics simulations report that terahertz electromagnetic fields at specific characteristic frequencies increased ion permeability in Kv1.2 potassium channels (1.4, 2.2, or 2.9 THz) and in Nav1.5 sodium channels (2.5 or 48.6 THz). The reported effects were frequency- and field-direction-specific, and the magnitude of ion permeation change positively correlated with field amplitude.
Outcomes measured
- Ion permeation/permeability in Kv1.2 potassium channels
- Ion permeation/permeability in Nav1.5 sodium channels
- Channel conductance modulation (via ion permeation changes)
Limitations
- Findings are based on molecular dynamics simulations rather than direct experimental measurements in cells, animals, or humans.
- Exposure parameters (e.g., field strength/amplitude values, duration) are not provided in the abstract.
- Generalizability to real-world terahertz exposures and physiological conditions is not established in the abstract.
- Mechanistic claims rely on modeled intrinsic oscillation motions and may require experimental validation.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": 2025,
"study_type": "other",
"exposure": {
"band": "microwave",
"source": null,
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": null
},
"population": null,
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Ion permeation/permeability in Kv1.2 potassium channels",
"Ion permeation/permeability in Nav1.5 sodium channels",
"Channel conductance modulation (via ion permeation changes)"
],
"main_findings": "Molecular dynamics simulations report that terahertz electromagnetic fields at specific characteristic frequencies increased ion permeability in Kv1.2 potassium channels (1.4, 2.2, or 2.9 THz) and in Nav1.5 sodium channels (2.5 or 48.6 THz). The reported effects were frequency- and field-direction-specific, and the magnitude of ion permeation change positively correlated with field amplitude.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"Findings are based on molecular dynamics simulations rather than direct experimental measurements in cells, animals, or humans.",
"Exposure parameters (e.g., field strength/amplitude values, duration) are not provided in the abstract.",
"Generalizability to real-world terahertz exposures and physiological conditions is not established in the abstract.",
"Mechanistic claims rely on modeled intrinsic oscillation motions and may require experimental validation."
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
"summary": "This biophysics study used molecular dynamics simulations to examine how terahertz electromagnetic fields affect ion permeation in voltage-gated potassium (Kv1.2) and sodium (Nav1.5) channels. The simulations report increased ion permeability at several specific terahertz frequencies, with effects depending on field frequency and direction and increasing with field amplitude. The authors frame these results as evidence of specific EMF–ion channel interactions with potential health relevance and possible biomedical applications.",
"key_points": [
"The work uses molecular dynamics simulations to study terahertz EMF effects on voltage-gated ion channels.",
"Simulated 1.4, 2.2, or 2.9 THz fields increased ion permeability in Kv1.2 potassium channels.",
"Simulated 2.5 or 48.6 THz fields increased ion permeability in Nav1.5 sodium channels.",
"Effects are reported to be specific to both the frequency and direction of the applied electric field.",
"The proposed determinants include intrinsic oscillatory motions of permeating ions in the selectivity filter and/or channel chemical groups.",
"The abstract reports a positive correlation between field amplitude and the magnitude of ion permeation change."
],
"categories": [
"Mechanisms",
"Terahertz / mmWave",
"Ion Channels",
"Computational Modeling"
],
"tags": [
"Terahertz EMF",
"Ion Channels",
"Potassium Channels",
"Sodium Channels",
"Kv1.2",
"Nav1.5",
"Selectivity Filter",
"Ion Permeation",
"Channel Conductance",
"Molecular Dynamics",
"Frequency Specificity",
"Field Directionality",
"Amplitude Dependence"
],
"keywords": [
"terahertz",
"electromagnetic field",
"ion channels",
"potassium channels",
"sodium channels",
"molecular dynamics",
"channel conductance"
],
"suggested_hubs": [],
"social": {
"tweet": "MD simulations report that terahertz EMFs at specific frequencies can increase ion permeability in Kv1.2 (1.4/2.2/2.9 THz) and Nav1.5 (2.5/48.6 THz), with effects depending on field direction and scaling with amplitude.",
"facebook": "A computational biophysics study using molecular dynamics simulations reports frequency- and direction-specific terahertz EMF effects on ion permeation in Kv1.2 potassium and Nav1.5 sodium channels, with larger changes at higher field amplitudes.",
"linkedin": "Communications Chemistry (2025): Molecular dynamics simulations suggest terahertz EMFs can modulate ion permeation in Kv1.2 and Nav1.5 channels at specific characteristic frequencies, with direction-dependent effects and amplitude scaling—highlighting potential EMF–ion channel interactions that warrant experimental follow-up."
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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