Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Assay

Methods Mol Biol. 2016:1473:17-22. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6346-1_2.

Abstract

Mitochondrial function, a key indicator of cell health, can be assessed by monitoring changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Cationic fluorescent dyes are commonly used tools to assess MMP. We used a water-soluble mitochondrial membrane potential indicator (m-MPI) to detect changes in MMP in HepG2 cells. A homogenous cell-based MMP assay was optimized and performed in a 1536-well plate format to screen several compound libraries for mitochondrial toxicity by evaluating the effects of chemical compounds on MMP.

Keywords: 1536-well plate format; Mesoxalonitrile 4-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP); Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP); Mitochondrial membrane potential indicator (m-MPI); Mitochondrial toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone / toxicity*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure
  • Small Molecule Libraries / toxicity*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone