Mitochondria

Probes for Mitochondria

Mitochondria are a distinctive, membrane-bound organelle present within all eukaryotic cells. As the primary site of ATP production and cellular energy supply, the unique aspects of mitochondria (including separate genetic material termed mDNA, it’s own protein synthesizing machinery, and a strictly-regulated membrane potential charge gradient) make it an important subject of study. Additionally, as more aspects of the aging process and other human diseases are being discovered, the role of mitochondria has been shown to be even more prominent than previously suspected.

AAT Bioquest offers a wide range of imaging technologies for investigating mitochondrial morphology and functionality in live and fixed cells. The selective labeling of live cell compartments provides a powerful method for examining cellular events in a spatial and temporal context.

MitoLite™ Dyes for Live Cell Mitochondrial Imaging


MitoLite™ dyes are a series of cell-permeable cationic dyes used to label mitochondria in live cells. At micromolar concentrations (µM), MitoLite™ dyes passively diffuse across live cell membranes and selectively accumulate in active mitochondria via the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) gradient. Since staining is lost during cell death due to the collapse (depolarization) of the mitochondrial membrane potential, MitoLite™ dyes can also be used to monitor cell viability. MitoLite™ dyes are available in spectral characteristics ranging from blue to near-infrared to accommodate multiplexing with other fluorescent probes or after fixation for co-localization studies. Retention after fixation varies amongst MitoLite™ dyes, with dyes such as MitoLite™ Blue FX490 being well-retained and MitoLite™ Green FM being lost after fixation. MitoLite™ dyes are key components of Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kits made available separately here. Each kit provides sufficient materials for 500 tests.

Features of MitoLite™ probes:

  • Selectively accumulates in active mitochondria via the ΔΨm gradient
  • Exceptionally bright fluorescence with high signal-to-noise ratios
  • Photostable signal generation for extended imaging windows
  • Can be imaged without washing
  • Multiple wavelength options for multiplex analysis with other fluorescent probes
  • Suitable for both proliferating and non-proliferating cells, as well as, cell in suspension and adherent cells
MitoLite™ Blue FX490 stain MitoLite™ Green FM MitoLite™ NIR FX690
MitoLite™ Blue FX490
(Cat No. 22674)
MitoLite™ Green FM
(Cat No. 22695)
MitoLite™ NIR FX690
(Cat No. 22690)

 

Table 1. Available MitoLite™ dyes for labeling mitochondria in live cells

Product name Sample Type Fixable Ex (nm) Em (nm) Filter Set Unit Size Cat No. Assay Kit No.
MitoLite™ Blue FX490 Live Cells Yes 344 469 DAPI 500 Tests 22674 22665
MitoLite™ Green FM Live Cells No 508 528 FITC 10×50 µg 22695
MitoLite™ Green EX488 Live Cells No 508 528 FITC 500 Tests 22675 22666
MitoLite™ Orange EX405 Live Cells No 425 522 FITC 500 Tests 22679 22673
MitoLite™ Orange FX570 Live Cells Yes 553 576 TRITC 500 Tests 22676 22667
MitoLite™ Red FX600 Live Cells Yes 580 598 TRITC 500 Tests 22677
MitoLite™ Red CMXRos Live Cells Yes 579 599 TRITC 10×50 µg 22698 22668
MitoLite™ Deep Red FX660 Live Cells Yes 640 659 Cy5 500 Tests 22678 22669
MitoLite™ NIR FX690 Live Cells Yes 658 691 Cy5 500 Tests 22690 22670

CytoFix™ Red Fixable Mitochondrial Stain

The enhanced cellular retention of CytoFix™ Red mitochondrial stain preserves its mitochondrial localized fluorescence even after the mitochondrial membrane potential is lost during fixation. The fluorescence signal generated by this dye is well-retained in the lyososme making it convenient for long-term mitochondrial tracking. CytoFix™ Red mitochondrial stain can be used with other fluorescent conjugates and other organelle stains for multicolor analysis. It can be used for both suspension and adherent cells and readily adapted for a wide variety of fluorescence platforms.

Features of CytoFix™ Red mitochondrial stain:

  • High mitochondrial staining efficiency
  • Long retention after fixation
  • Labeling protocol with minimal hands on time

CytoFix™ Red

Figure 2. The fluorescence images of HeLa cells stained with CytoFix™ MitoRed in a 96-well black-wall clear-bottom plate. Image was acquired before (Left) and after (Right) fixation with 4% formaldehyde solution for 20 minutes at RT. The cells were imaged using fluorescence microscope with a Cy3/TRITC filter.

Table 2. CytoFix™ Red fixable mitochondrial stain

Product name Sample Type Fixable Ex (nm) Em (nm) Filter Set Unit Size Cat No.
CytoFix™ Red Mitochondrial Stain Live Cells Yes 540 590 Cy3/TRITC 500 Tests 23200

Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Probes


The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), generated by the electron transport chain, is a key parameter necessary for healthy mitochondrial functioning. Together with the proton gradient, it generates the driving force behind mitochondrial ATP synthesis. It plays a key role in mitochondrial homeostasis through selective elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria, and is an essential component of mitochondrial calcium homeostasis.

A distinctive feature of the early stages of apoptosis is the disruption of normal mitochondrial function. A collapse in mitochondrial membrane and redox potential may induce unwanted loss of cell viability and be a cause of various pathologies. We offer a wide assortment of fluorescent probes for analyzing aspects of normal mitochondrial activity in live cells, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential and calcium flux.

 

JC-10™ Dual-Emission ΔΨm Probe

JC-10™, a derivative of JC-1, is potential-dependent probe used to determine ΔΨm by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and in microplate-based fluorescent assays. In healthy cells, JC-10™ selectively accumulates in mitochondria generating orange J-aggregates that exhibit a broad excitation spectrum and emission maximum at 590 nm. However, in apoptotic and necrotic cells with low ΔΨm, JC-10™ diffuses out of the mitochondria and JC-10™ monomers are generated, resulting in a shift to green emission (525 nm). JC-10™ allows both qualitative and quantitative visualization of ΔΨm changes, considering the shift from orange to green fluorescence emission and the fluorescence intensity ratio, respectively.

Features of JC-10™:

  • Easy-to-Use: JC-10™ does not percipitate when diluted into aqueous buffers, eliminating artifacts.
  • Robust: JC-10™ has smaller assay deviations due to its enhanced solubility in aqueous media and higher sensitivity.
  • Enhanced Signal: JC-10™ has a higher signal-to-background ratio than JC-1.
  • Enhanced Sensitivity: JC-10™ has the ability to detect subtle changes in ΔΨm loss better than JC-1 in all tested cell lines.
  • Broad Applications: JC-10™ can be used for primary rat hepatocytes.
  • Convenient: JC-10™ is compatible with fluorescence microplate readers, cell imagers and flow cytometers.

JC10 vs JC1

Figure 3. Camptothecin induced mitochondrial membrane potential changes were measured with JC-10™ (Cat No. 22204) and JC-1 (Cat No. 22200) in Jurkat cells. After Jurkat cells were treated with camptothecin (10 µM) for 4 hours, JC-1 and JC-10™ dye loading solutions were added to the wells and incubated for 30 minutes. The fluorescent intensities for both J-aggregates and monomeric forms of JC-1 and JC-10™ were measured at Ex/Em = 490/525 nm and 540/590 nm with NOVOstar microplate reader (BMG Labtech).

Table 3. JC-10™ and JC-1 dual-emission mitochondrial membrane potential probes.

Probe Ex/Em Ex/Em Filter Set Unit Size Cat No.
JC-10™ *Superior alternative to JC-1* 508/524 (monomer) 508/570 (aggregate) FITC (monomer) TRITC (aggregate) 5×100 µL 22204
JC-1 515/530 (monomer) 515/590 (aggregate) FITC (monomer) TRITC (aggregate) 5 mg 22200
JC-1 515/530 (monomer) 515/590 (aggregate) FITC (monomer) TRITC (aggregate) 50 mg 22201

Table 4. Cell Meter™ JC-10™ assay kits for measuring mitochondrial membrane potential.

Probe Instrument Ex (nm) Em (nm) Cutoff/Channel Unit Size Cat No.
Cell Meter™ JC-10 Mitochondrion Membrane Potential Assay Kit *Optimized for Microplate Assays* Microplate Reader 490/540 nm 525/590 nm 515/570 nm 500 tests 22800
Cell Meter™ JC-10 Mitochondrion Membrane Potential Assay Kit *Optimized for Flow Cytometry Assays* Flow Cytometer 488 nm laser 530/30 575/26 FITC Channel PE Channel 100 tests 22801

Mitochondrial-Selective Rhodamine Esters

Cell-permeable cationic rhodamines, such TMRE and TMRM, are readily sequestered by active mitochondria, and commonly used to label mitochondria in living cells. Like JC-10™, TMRE and TMRM uptake in mitochondria is driven by the mitochondrial membrane potential. Both dyes have been successfully for dymanic and in situ quantitative measurements, to screen for inhibitors of the mitochondrial transition pore, to assess the functionality of mitochondria in living cells, and can be used to discrimate between viable and non-viable cell populations. These potentiometric dyes exhibit minimal self-quenching, low cytotoxicity and have reasonable photostability, and their fluorescence intensities can be measured with either a flow cytometer or fluorescence microscope. In comparison to TMRM, TMRE is slightly more hydrophobic.

 

Table 5. Potentiometric dyes for measuring mitochondrial membrane potential.

Probe Ex (nm) Em (nm) Filter Set Unit Size Cat No.
TMRE [Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester] *CAS#: 115532-52-0* 552 574 TRITC 25 mg 22220
TMRM [Tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester] *CAS#: 115532-50-8* 552 574 TRITC 25 mg 22221

 

Product ordering information


 

Table 6. Ordering Info for Mitochonrial Products

Cat# Product Name Unit Size
67 Rhodamine 700 *CAS 63561-42-2* 25 mg
68 Rhodamine 800 *CAS 137993-41-0* 25 mg
22210 Rhodamine 123 *CAS 62669-70-9* 25 mg
22211 Rhodamine B, hexyl ester, perchlorate 10 mg
22220 TMRE [Tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester] *CAS#: 115532-52-0* 25 mg
22221 TMRM [Tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester] *CAS#: 115532-50-8* 25 mg
22225 DASPEI [2-(4-(dimethylamino)styryl)-N-ethylpyridinium iodide] *CAS#: 3785-01-1* 100 mg
22630 Cell Navigator™ Live Cell RNA Imaging Kit *Green Fluorescence* 100 Tests
22634 Cell Navigator™ Live Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Staining Kit *Blue Fluorescence* 100 Tests
22635 Cell Navigator™ Live Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Staining Kit *Green Fluorescence* 100 Tests
22636 Cell Navigator™ Live Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Staining Kit *Red Fluorescence* 100 Tests
22651 Cell Navigator™ Lysosome Staining Kit *Green Fluorescence with 405 nm Excitation* 500 Tests
22652 Cell Navigator™ Lysosome Staining Kit *NIR Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22655 Cell Navigator™ Lysosome Staining Kit *Blue Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22656 Cell Navigator™ Lysosome Staining Kit *Green Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22657 Cell Navigator™ Lysosome Staining Kit *Orange Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22658 Cell Navigator™ Lysosome Staining Kit *Red Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22659 Cell Navigator™ Lysosome Staining Kit *Deep Red Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22660 Cell Navigator™ F-Actin Labeling Kit *Blue Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22661 Cell Navigator™ F-Actin Labeling Kit *Green Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22663 Cell Navigator™ F-Actin Labeling Kit *Orange Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22664 Cell Navigator™ F-Actin Labeling Kit *Red Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22665 Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kit *Blue Fluorescence* 500 Assays
22666 Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kit *Green Fluorescence* 500 Assays
22667 Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kit *Orange Fluorescence* 500 Assays
22668 Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kit *Red Fluorescence* 500 Assays
22669 Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kit *Deep Red Fluorescence* 500 Assays
22670 Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kit *NIR Fluorescence* 500 Assays
22673 Cell Navigator™ Mitochondrion Staining Kit *Orange Fluorescence with 405 nm Excitation* 500 Assays
22674 MitoLite™ Blue FX490 500 Tests
22675 MitoLite™ Green EX488 500 Tests
22676 MitoLite™ Orange FX570 500 Tests
22677 MitoLite™ Red FX600 500 Tests
22678 MitoLite™ Deep Red FX660 500 Tests
22679 MitoLite™ Orange EX405 500 Tests
22680 Cell Navigator™ Cell Plasma Membrane Staining Kit *Orange Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22681 Cell Navigator™ Cell Plasma Membrane Staining Kit *Red Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22682 Cell Navigator™ Cell Plasma Membrane Staining Kit *Green Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22690 MitoLite™ NIR FX690 500 Tests
22695 MitoLite™ Green FM 10×50 ug
22698 MitoLite™ Red CMXRos 10×50 ug
22730 Cell Navigator™ Fluorimetric Lipid Droplet Assay Kit *Green Fluorescence* 200 Tests
22735 Cell Navigator™ Fluorimetric Lipid Droplet Assay Kit *Red Fluorescence* 500 Tests
22750 Cell Navigator™ NBD Ceramide Golgi Staining Kit *Green Fluorescence* 100 Tests
23170 Cell Navigator™ Live Cell Tubulin Staining Kit 100 Slides
23171 Cell Navigator™ Live Cell Tubulin Staining Kit 300 Slides

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