title: Breaking the barrier: methods for reversible permeabilization of cellular membranes.
abstract: Plasma membrane constitutes a major barrier for the entry of hydrophilic molecules into the cell interior. Selective and reversible permeabilization of this barrier is a prerequisite for many biotechnological applications. This article reviews general principles of membrane permeabilization based on biological, chemical, and physical methods and mechanisms of the delivery of extrinsic substances to cell interior. The emphasis is given on the methods that have significantly contributed to our understanding of biological phenomena on membrane level or have been widely used in current biotechnology, such as delivery by membrane vehicles, electropermeabilization, microinjection, and biolistics. The mechanisms of the internalization of extrinsic substances and the advantages and drawbacks of individual techniques are discussed with respect to specific applications in biotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dunaji, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hapala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism; D019470:Biolistics; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004337:Drug Carriers; D018274:Electroporation; D004705:Endocytosis; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008081:Liposomes; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000502:physiology; D008845:Microinjections
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004337:Drug Carriers; D007473:Ion Channels; D008081:Liposomes; D004247:DNA