P. Pawlowski et M. Fikus, BIOELECTRORHEOLOGICAL MODEL OF THE CELL .4. ANALYSIS OF THE EXTENSIL DEFORMATION OF CELLULAR MEMBRANE IN ALTERNATING ELECTRIC-FIELD, Biophysical journal, 65(1), 1993, pp. 535-540
Analysis of the angular distribution of extensil mechanical stress, si
gma(e), generated in cytoplasmic membranes by an external oscillating
electric field, is presented. Theoretical considerations show that sig
ma(e) is directly proportional to the local relative increase in membr
ane area and/or to the local relative decrease in its thickness. The m
agnitude of this stress depends on the position of the analyzed point
of the membrane in relation to field direction. The maximal value, sig
ma0e, is reached at the cell ''poles.'' The magnitude of sigma0e depen
ds on electric and geometric parameters (in particular on field freque
ncy) of the system studied. The foregoing analysis can be applied to q
uantitatively describe the destabilizing effects of the electric field
on the cellular membrane, leading to its poration, fusion, and destru
ction.