Electric field modulation of cell membrane potential

"Electric field modulation of cell membrane potential" is not the name of a discrete molecule or receptor but rather describes the physical effect of exogenous electric fields (EFs) on the electrical potential across a biological cell membrane[1][3][5][9]. This process involves altering the cell's membrane potential (the voltage difference across the plasma membrane) via the application of external electric fields, which can directly or indirectly influence the activity of membrane-embedded proteins such as ion channels, transporters, and receptors[1][2][5][6][7][9]. Electric fields can induce changes in the conformation and gating of voltage-sensitive membrane proteins, leading to downstream effects on cell signaling pathways such as ERK and MAPK, and regulate cellular processes like proliferation and apoptosis[3][6][4]. This phenomenon is under study for its ability to modulate cell behavior and fate but it is not itself a drug target or molecular entity. The correct targets in this context are typically specific membrane proteins (e.g., voltage-gated ion channels, receptors) whose function is modulated by changes in membrane potential[2][6][7].

Other names

Electric field effects on membrane potentialEF modulation of membrane potentialExogenous electric field interaction with cell membrane

Application of external electric fields modulates membrane potential, affecting voltage-sensor domains in channels/enzymes[1][5][9].\nAlters gating of voltage-gated ion channels and protein conformation.