Valle 1986 Biochem Biophys Res Commun
Valle VG, Pereira-da-Silva L, Vercesi AE (1986) Undesirable feature of safranine as a probe for mitochondrial membrane potential. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 135: 189-195. |
Valle VG, Pereira-da-Silva L, Vercesi AE (1986) Biochem Biophys Res Commun
Abstract: This communication describes experiments showing that safranine, at the concentrations usually employed as a probe of mitochondrial membrane potential, causes significant undesirable side effects on Ca2+ transport by liver mitochondria. The major observations are: (i) safranine potentiates the spontaneous Ca2+ release from liver mitochondria induced by phosphate or acetoacetate. This is paralelled by potentiation of the release of state-4 respiration and of the rate of mitochondrial swelling, indicating a generalized effect of the dye on the mitochondrial membrane; (ii) the efflux of mitochondrial Ca2+ stimulated by hydroperoxide is irreversible in the presence of safranine even if membrane stabilizers such as Mg2+ and ATP are present. It is concluded that the use of safranine to monitor the changes in membrane potential during Ca2+ transport by mitochondria should be avoided or special care be taken.
Labels:
Tissue;cell: Liver
Regulation: Membrane Potential"Membrane Potential" is not in the list (Aerobic glycolysis, ADP, ATP, ATP production, AMP, Calcium, Coupling efficiency;uncoupling, Cyt c, Flux control, Inhibitor, ...) of allowed values for the "Respiration and regulation" property., Ion Homeostasis"Ion Homeostasis" is not in the list (Aerobic glycolysis, ADP, ATP, ATP production, AMP, Calcium, Coupling efficiency;uncoupling, Cyt c, Flux control, Inhibitor, ...) of allowed values for the "Respiration and regulation" property.
Coupling state: LEAK
Safranine, Ca2+, mt-swelling