Exposure of simian virus‐40‐transformed human cells to magnetic fields results in increased levels of T‐antigen mRNA and protein

In its integrated form, SV‐40 DNA offers an opportunity to observe the behavior of what is in effect a viral genome within a cellular genome, with transcriptional and translational products that can be clearly distinguished from those of the host cell. Exposure of SV40‐transformed human fibroblasts to a 60 Hz continuous‐wave sinusoidal electromagnetic (EM) field resulted in increased levels of virally derived mRNA and protein of large T‐antigen. These findings provide evidence that a foreign DNA integrated into cells can be affected by EM fields under conditions known to cause increased transcripts from endogenous cellular genes. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.