A patch clamp study on the electro-permeabilization of higher plant cells: Supra-physiological voltages induce a high-conductance, K+ selective state of the plasma membrane

► This is the first patch clamp study on higher plant cell membranes at extreme voltages that improves our understanding of electroporation in plant cells and beyond. ► Below -250 ­to -300 mV and above 200 to 250 mV the conductance increased ~50fold and membranes were 5-10 times more permeable to K+ than to gluconate, but electro-permeabilization was not due to a non-physiological K+ channel activation.