1: Biochim Biophys Acta  1985 Feb 14;812(3):779-85 

Reversible and irreversible modification of erythrocyte membrane permeability by
electric field.

Serpersu EH, Kinosita K Jr, Tsong TY.

Electric fields of a few kV/cm and of duration in microseconds are known to
implant pores of limited size in cell membranes. We report here a study of
kinetics of pore formation and reversibility of pores. Loading of biologically
active molecules was also attempted. For human erythrocytes in an isotonic
saline, pores allowed passive Rb+ entry formed within 0.5 microsecond when a 4
kV/cm electric pulse was used. Pores that admitted oligosaccharides were
introduced with an electric pulse of a longer duration in an isosmotic mixture
of NaCl and sucrose. These pores were irreversible under most circumstances, but
they could be resealed in an osmotically balanced medium. A complete resealing
of pores that admitted Rb+ took approximately 40 min at 37 degrees C. Resealing
of pores that admitted sucrose took much longer, 20 h, under similar conditions.
In other cell types, resealing step may be omitted due to stronger membrane
structures. Experimental protocols for loading small molecules into cells
without losing cytoplasmic macromolecules are discussed.

PMID: 3970906 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]