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Changes in membrane structure induced by electroporation as revealed by rapid-freezing electron microscopy
1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Biophysical Journal
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Electroporation creates temporary membrane pores in cells, visualized by electron microscopy. These pores, crucial for macromolecule entry, form and reseal rapidly, influenced by the cell
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Electroporation transiently permeabilizes cells using electric fields.
- The structural changes in cell membranes during electroporation remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural changes in cell membranes induced by electric fields during electroporation.
- To determine if membrane pores are formed in electropermeabilized cells.
Main Methods:
- Human red blood cells were subjected to radio-frequency electric fields.
- Rapid-freezing electron microscopy was employed to examine membrane structures.
- Freeze-fracture electron microscopy visualized membrane openings.
Main Results:
- Volcano-shaped membrane openings, indicative of pores, appeared as early as 3 ms post-electrical pulse.
- Pore structures expanded to 20-120 nm within 20 ms.
- Pore resealing began after several seconds.
Conclusions:
- The observed membrane openings likely represent pores facilitating macromolecule entry during electroporation.
- Pore dynamics and size distribution suggest a role for the submembrane cytoskeleton in pore formation and resealing.