Detection of HSP27-like molecules in the annelid Enchytraeus japonensis after exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (50 Hz).

The immunocytochemical study performed on the annelid Enchytraeus japonensis revealed the presence of immunoreactive heat shock protein (HSP)27 molecules in different areas of the body. Positivity was observed in coelomocytes and in epithelial cells of the intestine wall. The exposition of the animals to 400 μT magnetic fields (50 Hz) for 30 min provoked an increased immunoreactivity in some specimens, but after immunoblot experiments, no significant differences in the total content of HSP27-like molecules were found between exposed and non-exposed animals.