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Is it possible to predict electromagnetic resonances in proteins, DNA and RNA?

Abstract

Background

It has been shown that there are electromagnetic resonances in biological molecules (proteins, DNA and RNA) in the wide range of frequencies including THz, GHz, MHz and KHz. These resonances could be important for biological function of macromolecules, as well as could be used in development of devices like molecular computers. As experimental measurements of macromolecular resonances are timely and costly there is a need for computational methods that can reliably predict these resonances.

We have previously used the Resonant Recognition Model (RRM) to predict electromagnetic resonances in tubulin and microtubules. Consequently, these predictions were confirmed experimentally.

Methods

The RRM is developed by authors and is based on findings that protein, DNA and RNA electromagnetic resonances are related to the free electron energy distribution along the macromolecule.

Results

Here, we applied the Resonant Recognition Model (RRM) to predict possible electromagnetic resonances in telomerase as an example of protein, telomere as an example of DNA and TERT mRNA as an example of RNA macromolecules.

Conclusion

We propose that RRM is a powerful model that can computationally predict protein, DNA and RNA electromagnetic resonances.

Background

Resonances are ever intriguing processes as they enable energy to be transferred selectively and with minimum loss. Resonances in biological macromolecules (proteins, DNA and RNA) are even more compelling, because they relate to macromolecular biological activity as well as have possible usage in technological developments (molecular computers) [111]. Recently, it has been shown that tubulin and microtubules have specific electromagnetic resonances that have a frequency range from THz to KHz [11]. Although there are similar examples where these resonances are measured experimentally [811], there is a need for theoretical models that can reliably predict these resonances in a variety of different macromolecules (proteins, DNA and RNA). Here we present the Resonant Recognition Model (RRM) [1216] as a good candidate for such predictions. RRM is a revolutionary new approach proposing that macromolecular activity is based on electromagnetic resonances [1216]. In our previous work we have used the RRM to predict resonances in tubulin and microtubules and shown that these resonances are in the frequency ranges from THz to KHz [17], which has been experimentally confirmed by a recently published paper [11]. Here, we are applying the RRM to predict possible electromagnetic resonances in other proteins (telomerase), DNA (telomere) and RNA (TERT mRNA). We propose that RRM is a powerful universal tool that can predict protein, RNA and DNA electromagnetic resonances, which is relevant for macromolecular biological function as well as applicable to new, innovative technological devices.

Methods

Resonant recognition model

The RRM is based on the findings that certain periodicities within the distribution of energy of delocalised electrons along a protein molecule are critical for protein DNA and RNA biological function and/or interaction with their targets. If possible charge transfer through these macromolecules is introduced, then charge moving through macromolecular backbone or through its 3D structure, like helical structure, can produce electromagnetic radiation, absorption and resonance with spectral characteristics corresponding to energy distribution along the protein. The RRM enables for these spectral characteristics to be determined.

All proteins, DNA and RNA can be considered as a linear sequence of their constitutive elements: amino acids or nucleotides. The RRM model interprets this linear information as a numerical series by assigning each amino acid a physical parameter representing the energy of delocalised electrons of each amino acid and then transforming this numerical series into the frequency domain using Fourier Transform. As the distance between amino acid in a polypeptide chain is 3.8 Å, it can be postulated that the points in the numerical sequence derived are equidistant. Therefore, for this numerical analysis the distance between points are set at an arbitrary value d = 1. The maximum frequency in the corresponding numerical spectrum is F = 1/2d = 0.5. The total number of points in the sequence influences the resolution of the spectrum. Thus, for N-point sequence the resolution in the spectrum is equal to 1/N. The n-th point in the spectral function corresponds to the frequency of f = n/N.

The RRM uses cross-spectral function to extract common spectral characteristics for sequences with the same or similar biological function. The presence of a peak frequency in a multiple cross-spectral function implies that all of the analysed sequences within the group have this frequency component in common. The same approach can be used for DNA and RNA sequences. However, for the characteristic frequencies between proteins and DNA/RNA macromolecules to be compared, it is required to make adjustments for the differences in distances between nucleotides (3.4 Å) and amino acids (3.8 Å). These adjustments are made on nucleotide sequences spectrum so the final result could be compared with frequency calculations made for the proteins.

Our previous research has shown that all protein, DNA and RNA sequences with a common biological function have the common frequency component [1216], that represents the characteristic feature for the observed function/interaction. This characteristic frequency is related to the protein biological function [1216].

Furthermore, it was shown that the proteins and their targets, other proteins, DNA or RNA, have the same characteristic frequency in common. Thus, we propose that the RRM frequencies characterise not only a general function, but also a recognition and interaction between the particular protein and its target, which is based on resonant recognition [1216].

Macromolecular interactions can be considered as resonant energy transfer between the interacting molecules. This energy can be transferred through oscillations of a physical field, possibly electromagnetic in nature. Since there is evidence that proteins, DNA and RNA have certain conducting or semi-conducting properties, a charge, moving through the macromolecular backbone and passing different energy stages caused by different amino acid or nucleotide side groups, can produce sufficient conditions for a specific electromagnetic radiation or absorption. The frequency range of this field depends on a charge velocity. The RRM proposes that charge is travelling through macromolecular backbone at the charge velocity estimated at 7.87 × 105m/s [12, 13]. For this velocity and the distance between amino acids in a protein molecule, which is 3.8 Å, the frequency range obtained for protein interactions was estimated to be in the range of 1013Hz up to 1015Hz. For nucleotide sequences, this frequency needs to be adjusted, as distance between nucleotides is 3.4 Å. The adjustment has been done within nucleotide sequences to match amino acid sequences. Therefore, the estimated range for both amino acid and nucleotide macromolecules includes infra-red, visible and ultra-violet light. These computational predictions were found to be related to biological function of the macromolecules by comparison with a number of experimental measurements [1219].

However, if we take into account protein and DNA/RNA complex structures, and in particular alpha helices, the charge transfer is also possible through these structures in the form of solitons [20] (Davydov [21, 22], Hayman [23], Sinkala [24]), excitons (Davydov [21, 22], Sinkala [24], Pang [25],Yomosa [26]) and phonons (Pang [25], Yomosa [26], Ichinose [27], Pang [25]). These other forms of charge transfers are at different velocities ranging from 105 m/s for solitons and some exciton all the way down to the speed of sound and small fractions of the speed of sound for phonons. Thus, with the same periodicities within proteins sequences, as determined by the RRM, different modalities of charge transfer can produce different resonant frequencies, which are not necessarily related to their protein biological function, but could be related to the protein and DNA/RNA resonances, in general.

In our previous work, we have applied these charge moving modalities to tubulin and microtubule macromolecules and identified a number of possible electromagnetic resonance frequencies in their macromolecule structures. These results have been experimentally confirmed in research by Bandyopadhyay team, by Sahu et al. [11].

Results and discussion

Here we applied the RRM approach to three different groups of macromolecules: proteins (telomerases), coding nucleotide sequences (TERT mRNA) and DNA regulatory sequences (telomeres), with the aim to predict electromagnetic resonant frequencies for these three different groups of macromolecules.

Proteins

As an example of protein macromolecules, the following TERT telomerase proteins were analysed using the RRM approach: Q27ID4 - TERT_BOVIN, O14746 - TERT_HUMAN (1–230), O14746 - TERT_HUMAN (325–550), O70372 - TERT_MOUSE and Q673L6 - TERT_RAT. The characteristic common RRM frequency for analysed TERT telomerase proteins was found to be at frequency of f = 0.2930 ± 0.001, as presented in Fig. 1. This result is consistent with our previously published common frequency for human telomerase [28].

Fig. 1
figure 1

Peak for five TERT telomerase proteins at frequency of f = 0.2930 ± 0.001

When RRM frequencies for telomerase were calculated and used in conjunction with different possible charge velocities through protein, the possible resonant frequencies were in the ranges of THz, GHz, MHz and KHz, as presented in Table 1a.

Table 1 Electromagnetic Resonance Frequencies taking into consideration as proposed by different mechanisms of charge velocities for: a. five TERT telomerase proteins; b. six TERT mRNA coding sequences; c. ten telomere sequences, after conversion

Coding mRNA

As an example of coding nucleotide sequences, we analysed the following telomerase TERT mRNA coding sequences, Homo sapiens telomerase reverse transcriptase isoforms: JF896280.1 - Delta2, JF896283.1 – Delta2-8, JF896282.1 – Delta4C, JF896285.1 – Delta4-13, JF896281.1 – Delta3p-12 and JF896286.1 – INTR1. The common numerical characteristic RRM frequency was found to be at frequency of f = 0.3340 ± 0.002, as presented in Fig. 2a. This is in accordance with our previous findings, that all coding nucleotide sequences have the same characteristic frequency of f = 0.3300 ± 0.002, describing the common function “coding”. As three nucleotides code for each amino acid, it is reasonable to expect that characteristic frequency for “coding” function will reflect triplet codes and will represent periodicity of three nucleotides or frequency of 0.33 (1/3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

a Peak for six TERT mRNA coding sequences at frequency of f = 0.3340 ± 0.002. b. Peak for six TERT mRNA coding sequences, after conversion, at frequency of f = 0.3730 ± 0.002

To be able to calculate the actual electromagnetic resonant frequencies in nucleotide sequence, it is necessary to adjust for the difference in distances between nucleotides and amino acids, as described above. Therefore, the main numerical frequency peak shifted to the frequency of f = 0.3730 ± 0.002, as presented in Fig. 2b. The analysis of the mRNA sequences have shown two distinct characteristic peaks at frequency of f = 0.3730 ± 0.002 and at frequency of f = 0.4014 ± 0.002. Keeping in mind the different modalities of possible charge transfer through the protein molecule these frequencies (periodicities) can produce specific resonances in the ranges of THz, GHz, MHz and KHz, as presented in Table 1b. It is interesting to note that TERT and TERT mRNA have similar the second most prominent peak frequency within the range from 0.40 to 0.41. This could be due to TERT telomerase activity which is also coded within TERT mRNA. Such similarity is causing overlaps between TERT and TERT mRNA across the whole range of electromagnetic resonances related to the second most prominent frequency.

Regulatory DNA

We have analysed the telomeres as an example of DNA sequences. The following homo sapiens telomeric repeat region isolates were analysed: HQ167745.1 - AE, HQ167740.1 - DVW, HQ167744.1 - KA, HQ167746.1 - KM, HQ167741.1 - KP, HQ167742.1 - LH, HQ167748.1 - SA, HQ167747.1 - SF, HQ167743.1 - VDEC and AF020783.1 - chromosome 20. The main numerical characteristic RRM frequency was found to be at frequency of f = 0.1875 ± 0.002 [28], as presented in Fig. 3. This frequency has been adjusted for the differences in distances between the amino acids in protein and the nucleotides in DNA. When this adjusted numerical characteristic frequency was used in conjunction with different modalities of charge transfer, the possible electromagnetic resonances have been found to be in the ranges of THz, GHz, MHz and KHz, as presented in Table 1c. It is interesting to note that telomere have much lower characteristic frequencies than TERT telomerase and TERT mRNA.

Fig. 3
figure 3

Peak for ten telomere sequences, after conversion, at frequency of f = 0.1875 ± 0.002

Conclusion

We have shown here that the Resonant Recognition Model can be used as universal tool in predicting protein, RNA and DNA electromagnetic resonances in the wide frequency range from THz. GHz, MHz and KHz. Keeping in mind that our earlier predictions with tubulin molecules have been experimentally proved [11], we propose that the RRM could be used as a powerful universal method for predicting the electromagnetic resonances in biological macromolecules that could be used in experimental planning and in conjunction with experiments to minimise time and expenditure in exploring such complex macromolecular systems.

Abbreviations

RRM:

Resonant recognition model

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

TERT:

Telomerase reverse transcriptase

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ms. Alison Kemp for proof reading this paper. The current research work is funded by AMALNA Consulting, registered consulting and research company, Australia.

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Correspondence to Irena Cosic.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

IC developed the RRM model, designed the study, analysed data and wrote most of the paper, DC developed the RRM software, performed calculations and analysed data and KL was involved in writing the paper and reviewing the text. All authors discussed the results and commented on the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Cosic, I., Cosic, D. & Lazar, K. Is it possible to predict electromagnetic resonances in proteins, DNA and RNA?. EPJ Nonlinear Biomed Phys 3, 5 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjnbp/s40366-015-0020-6

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