Expression of the proto-oncogene Fos after exposure to radiofrequency radiation relevant to wireless communications

In this study the expression levels of the proto-oncogene Fos were measured after exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation at two relatively high specific absorption rates (SARs) of 5 and 10 W/kg for three types of modulated signals: 847.74 MHz code division multiple access (CDMA), 835.62 MHz frequency division multiple access (FDMA), and 836.55 MHz time division multiple access (TDMA). This work was undertaken to confirm a previous report by Goswami et al. (Radiat. Res. 151, 300-309, 1999) that CDMA and FDMA radiation caused small but statistically significant increases in Fos levels as cells entered plateau phase during exposure. No effects on Myc or Jun levels were observed in that study. Therefore, in the present study, analyses were restricted to Fos expression during the transition from exponential growth to plateau phase. Fos expression was measured using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Serum-stimulated C3H 10T1/2 cells were used as a positive control for Fos expression. Possible influences of final cell number or pH variability on Fos expression were evaluated. Expression of Fos mRNA in C3H 10T1/2 cells was not significantly different from that found after sham exposure at either SAR level for any signal modulation. Therefore, the results of Goswami et al. could not be confirmed.