Abstract

Overview of Study

The research focuses on understanding the biological effects of THz radiation, particularly its impact on human melanoma cells, through advanced metabolomic and gene network techniques. This study utilized targeted metabolomic screening using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) alongside gene network analysis to identify the intricate cellular responses.

Significant Findings

• Metabolic Changes: THz radiation exposure resulted in significant alterations in 40 metabolites, prominently affecting purine and pyrimidine pathways. Notably impacted were lipids such as ceramides and phosphatidylcholines.
• Gene Network Insights: Through gene network reconstruction, mitochondrial membrane proteins such as components of the respiratory chain complex, ATP synthase, and lipid rafts were identified as crucial in regulating the enzymes involved in these metabolic alterations.
• Structural Disruption: The study found that THz radiation causes a reversible disruption in the structure of lipid raft macromolecular complexes, modifying mitochondrial molecule transport but preserving protein integrity.
• Radiation Specificity: The metabolic effects were unique to THz radiation and were not replicated by infrared radiation exposure in control cells, confirming that the observed changes were not due to thermal effects.

Conclusive Insights

This study enhances our understanding of the biological effects of THz radiation and underscores the significant role of mitochondrial membrane components in the cellular response to such radiation, paving the way for further investigations into its biological and therapeutic potentials.