Differences in membrane electrical properties between C3H 10T1/2 mouse embryo fibroblasts and their ionizing radiation and chemically transformed counterparts

Eur Biophys J. 1992;20(6):305-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00196589.

Abstract

Membrane electrical properties of mouse embryo fibroblasts and their ionizing radiation and chemically transformed counterparts were investigated using dielectric relaxation measurements in the radio frequency range. This determination is possible because, in the radio frequency range, suspensions of cells in an electrolyte buffer show a conductivity dispersion due to interfacial polarization. An analysis of the experimental data based on a "single-shell" model showed that conductivity and permittivity of the membranes of both radiation and chemically transformed fibroblasts were lower than in normal cells. In addition, the conductivity of the cytoplasm was higher in both transformed cell types than in the normal mouse fibroblasts. We discuss the significance of these findings in view of the possible structural and functional modifications brought about by the process of neoplastic transformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Buffers
  • Cell Line, Transformed / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Transformed / physiology
  • Cell Line, Transformed / radiation effects
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Cell Membrane / radiation effects
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / physiology
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / radiation effects
  • Cytoplasm / physiology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / physiology*
  • Fibroblasts / radiation effects
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Membrane Potentials / radiation effects
  • Methylcholanthrene / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Solutions / chemistry

Substances

  • Buffers
  • Solutions
  • Methylcholanthrene