Modulation of myosin phosphorylation rates by weak near ambient DC magnetic fields

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of weak, environmental range, AC and DC magnetic fields on myosin light chain phosphorylation in a cell-free system. The exposure system applied AC (16 Hz, 20.9 mu T) and DC (0-200 mu T, vertically and/or horizontally) magnetic fields. The results suggest that all of the AC, DC, and combination AC/DC magnetic fields significantly (30-100%, p<.01) affect myosin phosphorylation. The most surprising and important finding shows that only DC field variations are sufficient to raise or lower the rate of phosphorylation. When mu -metal shielding was employed, phosphorylation decreased to 35% of the control value. Phosphorylation kinetics were also modified by these fields.