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Figueira 2012 Methods Mol Biol

From Bioblast
Publications in the MiPMap
Figueira TR, Melo DR, Vercesi AE, Castilho RF (2012) Safranine as a fluorescent probe for the evaluation of mitochondrial membrane potential in isolated organelles and permeabilized cells.. Methods Mol Biol 810:103-17.

Β» PMID:22057563

Figueira TR, Melo DR, Vercesi AE, Castilho RF (2012) Methods Mol Biol

Abstract: The mitochondrial electrical membrane potential (delta Psi) is the main component of the proton motive force (delta p) generated across the inner mitochondrial membrane during electron flow through the respiratory chain. Among the techniques available to assess delta Psi, methods that rely on the spectrophotofluorometric responses of dyes are widely employed for whole suspensions of isolated mitochondria or permeabilized cells. Safranine is one of the dyes currently used most often for this purpose. Safranine is a lipophilic cationic dye that undergoes optical shifts upon its potential-dependent distribution between the external medium and the intramitochondrial compartment and on its stacking to inner mitochondrial membrane anionic sites. The association between the optical changes of safranine and the membrane potential allows unknown delta Psi values to be estimated from an equation describing their relationship. Here, we describe the use of safranine as a fluorescent indicator of delta Psi in isolated mitochondria and digitonin-permeabilized cells. We present suitable conditions to employ safranine as a delta Psi indicator.


β€’ O2k-Network Lab: BR Campinas Vercesi AE


Labels: MiParea: Instruments;methods 


Organism: Rat  Tissue;cell: Liver, Other cell lines  Preparation: Permeabilized cells, Isolated mitochondria 

Regulation: ADP, mt-Membrane potential, Uncoupler 


HRR: O2k-Fluorometer, Theory 


The relationship between safranin fluorescence and mitochondrial membrane potential is discussed.