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Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Measurement of Extracellular Ion Fluxes Using the Ion-selective Self-referencing Microelectrode Technique
Published on: May 3, 2015
Single cell wound generates electric current circuit and cell membrane potential variations that requires calcium
Guillaume Luxardi1, Brian Reid, Pauline Maillard
1Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, 921 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA. minzhao@ucdavis.edu.
Abstract:
Breaching of the cell membrane is one of the earliest and most common causes of cell injury, tissue damage, and disease. If the compromise in cell membrane is not repaired quickly, irreversible cell damage, cell death and defective organ functions will result. It is therefore fundamentally important to efficiently repair damage to the cell membrane. While the molecular aspects of single cell wound healing are starting to be deciphered, its bio-physical counterpart has been poorly investigated. Using Xenopus laevis oocytes as a model for single cell wound healing, we describe the temporal and spatial dynamics of the wound electric current circuitry and the temporal dynamics of cell membrane potential variation. In addition, we show the role of calcium influx in controlling electric current circuitry and cell membrane potential variations. (i) Upon wounding a single cell: an inward electric current appears at the wound center while an outward electric current is observed at its sides, illustrating the wound electric current circuitry; the cell membrane is depolarized; calcium flows into the cell. (ii) During cell membrane re-sealing: the wound center current density is maintained for a few minutes before decreasing; the cell membrane gradually re-polarizes; calcium flow into the cell drops. (iii) In conclusion, calcium influx is required for the formation and maintenance of the wound electric current circuitry, for cell membrane re-polarization and for wound healing.
Insights
Cell membrane repair is crucial for preventing cell death. This study reveals that calcium influx drives the electric currents essential for healing damaged cell membranes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Physiology
Background:
- Cell membrane damage is a primary cause of cell injury and disease.
- Rapid repair of cell membrane breaches is vital to prevent irreversible damage and organ dysfunction.
- While molecular mechanisms of cell wound healing are known, bio-physical aspects remain under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bio-physical mechanisms of single cell wound healing.
- To characterize the dynamics of electric current circuitry and cell membrane potential during wound repair.
- To elucidate the role of calcium influx in these processes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Xenopus laevis oocytes as a model system for single cell wound healing.
- Monitored temporal and spatial dynamics of wound electric current.
- Measured cell membrane potential variations and calcium influx.
Main Results:
- Wounding induced an inward electric current at the wound center and outward current at the sides, establishing a wound electric current circuitry.
- The cell membrane depolarized, and calcium influx occurred upon wounding.
- During re-sealing, current density was maintained, membrane potential gradually re-polarized, and calcium influx decreased.
Conclusions:
- Calcium influx is essential for establishing and maintaining the wound electric current circuitry.
- Calcium influx plays a critical role in cell membrane re-polarization during wound healing.
- Efficient cell membrane repair, driven by bio-physical cues like electric currents and calcium, is fundamental for cell survival.
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