Electromagnetic initiation of transcription at specific DNA sites

Initiation of transcription by electromagnetic (EM) fields offers an insight into mechanism. EM field stimulated transcription appears to require specific DNA sequences, and these bases may be sites where EM fields generate large repulsive forces between chains by accelerating electrons that move within DNA. We can estimate the repulsion between chains by assuming that electron affinity is a measure of electron density at each base, and inversely related to the velocity of electrons land the force). The repulsive force can be compared to the attraction between chains due to H-bonds. From the difference between repulsion and attraction, we show that sites rich in C and T, as in the specific sequences, would be more likely to come apart in EM fields. These calculations suggest a plausible mechanism for initiation of transcription by EM fields, and provide a rationale for specific sequences to function as EM field response elements. Electron flow could also be a factor in DNA chain melting due to joule heating. J. Cell. Biochem. 81 :689-692, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.