The Fusogenic State of Plant Protoplasts as Related to DYE/DNA Uptake

The mechanism for electric-field-mediated DNA uptake of plant protoplasts (electroporation) is none too clear. Both electro- fusion and electroporation are based on induced reversible membrane breakdown events. If the electroporation process is related to fusogenic events, then fusion properties of proto- plasts may be used as indicators for uptake capabilities.