Life Cycle of an Electropore: Field-Dependent and Field-Independent Steps in Pore Creation and Annihilation

摘要: Electropermeabilization, an electric field-induced modification of the barrier functions cell membrane, is widely used in laboratories and increasingly clinic; but mechanisms physical structures associated with electromanipulation membrane permeability have not been definitively characterized. Indirect experimental observations electrical conductance small molecule transport as well molecular dynamics simulations led to models which hydrophilic pores form phospholipid bilayers increased probability presence field. Presently available methods do permit direct, nanoscale examination electroporated membranes that would confirm existence these structures. To facilitate reconciliation poration observed properties electropermeabilized lipid membranes, we propose a scheme for characterizing stages electropore formation resealing. This life cycle, based on bilayers, defines sequence discrete steps field-driven restructuring leads head group-lined, aqueous pore then, after field removed, dismantling reassembly intact bilayer. Utilizing this can systematically analyze interactions between bilayer components involved initiation, construction We find creation time depends strongly gradient across interface annihilation at least weakly dependent magnitude pore-initiating and, general, much longer than time.