131 Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics, 26 (1991) 131-138 A section of J. ElectroanaL Chem., and constituting Vol. 321 (1991) Elsevier Sequoia S.A., Lausanne JEC BB 01369 On the existence of an intramembrane field stabilization systems in cells A.S. Dukhin, V.I. Karamushka and Z.R. Ulberg Department of Natural Disperse Systen~, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Kiev, (USSR) I.G. Abidor Electrochemistry Institute, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, (USSR) (Received 4 July 1990; in revised form 11 February 1991) Abstract An experimentally discovered relationship between transmembrane and electrokinetic potentials has been examined, The redistribution of transmembrane potential between the capacitances of the mem- brane and of the electric double layer as well as the change of cell surface charge under membrane energization were interpreted as the reasons for this relationship. The surface charge change may stabilize the intramembrane field to make it optimal for the functioning of membrane bioenergetie systems, as well as to prevent the membrane electrical breakdown under fluctuations in the transmembrane potential. INTRODUCTION During the past two decades the empirical relationship between transmembrane A~m and surface X potentials in various microobjects consisting of energy convert- ing membranes of having them included in their composition has been experimen- tally discovered [1-8]. Nowadays, there are three different opinions on the reasons for the dependence of X on A~k m. The first point of view is based on 'experimental studies, and suggests that the cell surface charge change, o, causes the relationship between A~,n and X- The second group consists of investigators working in the fidd of bioelectrochem- istry. The results of their studies have been presented in a monograph [9] and in a review [10]. In these studies A~m is believed to be redistributed between the membrane and the adjoining electric double layers (DL). That part of A~ m which goes to the extracellular DL is the component of X gives rise to the relationship between A~ m and X- The value of this component AX is determined by the 0302-4598/91/$03.50 © 1991 - Elsevier Sequoia S.A. All rights reserved