Electric field‐induced fusion of mitochondria

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Abstract
Fusion of mitochondria in H-medium from rat liver was induced by the application of square-wave voltage with electric field strengths of 1–2.5 kV/cm and duration 100 μs. Electron micrographs showed that the newly fused mitochondria could contain up to five mitoplasts. The fusion yield was close to 12% and respiratory activity was enhanced. The electric field lines did not go through the inner membrane, however, when the electric field strength was greater than 3 kV/cm they did so, resulting in total destruction of the mitochondria.