Senomic view of the cell: Senome versus Genome

Figures & data

Box 1. Components and bioelectric field-like nature of Senome with implications for multicellularity and social cognition.

It is well understood that every atom generates its own electromagnetic field (EMF). For example, Magnetic Resonance Imaging is dependent on that phenomenon. Every living organism is dependent on this electrical circumstance and the resultant electrostatic attractional forces that enable the atomic bonding that generates every type of matter. In biological membranes, especially the plasma membrane, ion channel and transport activities generate bioelectric fields [116,117] which also summate to generate cell, tissue and organ-specific fields. These act as coherent resonances that assist in the integration and organization of multicellular organisms such as plants, fungi, animals and humans. For example, self-generated bioelectic fields were reported around apices of tip-growing pollen tubes, root hairs as well as whole roots [118–125]. Similarly, cells of all organisms are known to generate bioelectric fields and also to sensitively respond to such bioelectric fields [126–130]. Especially prominent bioelectric fields are generated by neurons, generating feedback loops that synchronize whole neural networks [131–135]. Such strong bioelecric fields extend around brains and can be routinely reorder as local field potentials (LFPs) that can be measured on electroencephalograms (EEGs) [126,136,137]. All such electrodynamic fields, even biophotonic ones, function as trans-membrane potentials that are crucial for sperm activation, embryonic development, cell migration, stem cell differentiation, cell regeneration and gene expression in all complex multicellular organisms[138]. Beyond internal cellular dynamics and cell-cell communication, many fields, such as EMFs, can be crucial external sources of cell stimulation at the macro-organic level. Migrating birds, hunting eels and sharks or flowers attracting their insect pollinators: all use their own electric fields [139–146]. Behavioral and cognitive effects in humans have been documented too. Electric stimulations are used for the treatment of depression, bipolar mood disorders and mood elevation [147,148]. For the molecular composition of signal transduction and information-processing networks of the Senome, see references 56, 63, 116, 117, 126–137.

Figure 1. Senomic view of a cell.

In this schematic and highly reduced view of a cell, the Senome is shown in blue, the Epigenome in yellow, and the Genome in red. The Senome encompasses the plasma membrane equipped with ion channels and transporters, vesicles and whole endocytic network. The epigenome encompasses all structures feeding from the Senome to the Genome, acting as a smart “translator” for dynamic feedbacks between the Senome and the Genome.

Olivotto M, Arcangeli A, Carlà M, et al. Electric fields at the plasma membrane level: a neglected element in the mechanisms of cell signalling. BioEssays. 1996;18:495–504.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Veech RL, Kashiwaya Y, Gates DN, et al. The energetics of ion distribution: the origin of the resting electric potential of cells. IUBMB Life. 2002;54:241–252.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Scott BH. Electric fields in plants. Ann Rev Plant Biol. 1967;18:409–418.

 Google Scholar

Baluška F, Mancuso S. Ion channels in plants: from bioelectricity, via signaling, to behavioral actions. Plant Signal Behav. 2013;8:e23009.

 PubMedGoogle Scholar

Zhou S-A, Uesaka M. Bioelectrodynamics in living organisms. Int J Engin Sc. 2006;44:67–92.

 Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Levin M, Martyniuk CJ. The bioelectric code: an ancient computational medium for dynamic control of growth and form. Biosystems. 2018;164:76–93.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Fröhlich F, McCormick DA. Endogenous electric fields may guide neocortical network activity. Neuron. 2010;67:129–143.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Martinez-Banaclocha M. Ephaptic coupling of cortical neurons: possible contribution of astroglial magnetic fields? Neuroscience. 2018;370:37–45.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Nunez PL, Srinivasan R. Electric fields of the brain: the neurophysics of EEG. Second ed. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press; 2006.

 Google Scholar

Buzsáki G, Anastassiou CA, Koch C. The origin of extracellular fields and currents -EEG, ECoG, LFP and spikes. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2012;13:407–420.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Fels D. The double-aspect of life. Biol. 2018;7:28.

 Google Scholar

Mouritsen H. Magnetoreception in birds and its use for long-distance migration. In: Sturkie’s avian physiology. Sixth ed. 2015. Associated Press; p. 113–133. DOI::10.1007/978-3-642-10,769-6_20.

 Google Scholar

Clarke D, Morley E, Robert D. The bee, the flower, and the electric field: electric ecology and aerial electroreception. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 2017;203:737–748.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Rohan M, Parow A, Stoll AL, et al. Low-field magnetic stimulation in bipolar depression using an MRI-based stimulator. Am J Psych. 2004;161:93–98.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Rohan ML, Yamamoto RT, Ravichandran CT, et al. Rapid mood-elevating effects of low field magnetic stimulation in depression. Biol Psych. 2014;76:186–193.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar

Loewenstein W. Physics in mind: a quantum view of the brain. New York: Basic Books; 2013.

 Google Scholar

Scita G, Di Fiore PP. The endocytic matrix. Nature. 2010;463:464–473.

 PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar