Electroporation-induced pore on lipid bilayer membrane (Electropore)

Electroporation-induced pores are transient aqueous channels formed in lipid bilayer membranes exposed to short, intense electric fields. The process increases membrane permeability, permitting the uptake of otherwise impermeant molecules such as drugs or nucleic acids for applications including gene delivery and cancer therapy. Pore creation is driven by local electric field gradients that induce water penetration into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer, resulting in the formation of hydrophilic pores lined by phospholipid headgroups. This process is reversible at moderate electric field strength, but high fields can cause irreversible damage or cell death. Electroporative pore formation is a physical phenomenon, not mediated by specific biological macromolecules, and therefore is not categorized as a canonical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter[1][2][3][4][6].

Other names

Electroporation poreElectric field-induced membrane poreElectropermeabilization pore

Temporary formation of hydrophilic pores in the plasma membrane by electric field exposure, allowing exogenous molecules (drugs or genes) to cross otherwise impermeant lipid bilayers[1][4].