Cell membrane permeability enhancement via sonoporation

Cell membrane permeability enhancement via sonoporation refers to the use of **ultrasound energy**, often in combination with microbubbles, to temporarily increase the permeability of cellular membranes. This process enables large molecules—such as DNA, RNA, proteins, or drugs—to enter cells that would otherwise be impermeable. The mechanism involves acoustic cavitation where oscillating microbubbles generate shear stress on adjacent cell membranes. When this stress exceeds a certain threshold (on the order of kilopascals), transient pores form in both apical and basal layers of the plasma membrane. These pores typically reseal within minutes but can allow significant macromolecule uptake during their open state[1][4][6]. Sonoporation is widely studied as an experimental technique for nonviral gene therapy and targeted drug delivery applications due to its ability to enhance intracellular transport without permanent damage when properly controlled. However, it is not itself a molecular entity or receptor but rather describes a **physical method** applied at the cellular level using external devices such as ultrasonic transducers or dedicated sonoporators[10]. Thus, "cell membrane permeability enhancement via sonoporation" does not correspond to any single protein/receptor/enzyme/target molecule. **Note:** This entry does *not* represent an individual molecular target but rather describes an externally applied biophysical technique affecting many types of cells through mechanical means. **Key points supporting 'is_incorrect':** The term refers to a *process* rather than any specific molecule/receptor/protein/enzyme/transporter that could serve as a canonical therapeutic target according to standard pharmacological definitions—it cannot be classified under typical molecular families like "G protein-coupled receptor," "Ion channel," etc.[2][3][8]

Other names

SonoporationCellular sonicationUltrasound-mediated cell membrane permeabilization

Physical disruption of the plasma membrane via ultrasound-induced microbubble cavitation[1][6][8][10] Formation of transient pores in the cell membrane allowing entry of macromolecules[1][4][6]