Effects of static magnetic fields on the development and aging of Caenorhabditis elegans.

The current study investigated the possible effects of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on the developmental and aging processes of Caenorhabdit!s elegans. Nematodes were grown in the presence of SMFs of strengths varying from 0 to 200mT. The rate of development and the lifespan were recorded. Treatment with a 200 mT SMF reduced the development time from the L2 to the L3 stage by 20%, from L3 to L4 by 23%, and from L4 to young adult by 31%. After SMF treatment, the average lifespan was reduced from 31 days to 24 days for wild-type nematodes. The up-regulation of clk-1, Iim-7, daf-2, unc-3 and age-1 after SMF treatment was verified by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Apparently, induction of gene expression is selective and dose dependent. The total developmental time was significantly reduced for the Iin-4, lin-14, Iin-41 and Iim-7 mutants, but not for the Iet-7, clk-1, unc-3 and age-1 mutants. Lifespan analyses revealed that the let-7, unc-3 and age-1 mutants were not affected by SMF treatment. Here we show that SMF5 accelerate nematode development and shorten nematode lifespan through pathways associated with Iet-7, clk-1, unc-3 and age-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]