Mitochondrial Indicators
Mitochondrial Indicators - Related Videos
02:39
Imaging the Mitochondrial Redox State in Primary Neurons Using a Ratiometric Indicator
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2025
Source: Katsalifis, A., et al. Live Imaging of the Mitochondrial Glutathione Redox State in Primary Neurons using a Ratiometric Indicator. J. Vis. Exp. (2021)This video demonstrates the imaging of mitochondrial redox state in primary neurons using a ratiometric fluorescent indicator. By applying two excitation wavelengths under a fluorescence microscope, the fluorescence intensity ratio is measured to assess mitochondrial oxidation. The protocol includes N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) stimulation...
02:39
Indicators
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2020
Certain organic substances change color in dilute solution when the hydronium ion concentration reaches a particular value. For example, phenolphthalein is a colorless substance in any aqueous solution with a hydronium ion concentration greater than 5.0 × 10−9 M (pH < 8.3). In more basic solutions where the hydronium ion concentration is less than 5.0 × 10−9 M (pH > 8.3), it is red or pink. Substances such as phenolphthalein, which can be used to determine the pH of a solution, are called...
07:47
Live Imaging of the Mitochondrial Glutathione Redox State in Primary Neurons using a Ratiometric Indicator
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2021
This article describes a protocol to determine differences in basal redox state and redox responses to acute perturbations in primary hippocampal and cortical neurons using confocal live microscopy. The protocol can be applied to other cell types and microscopes with minimal modifications.
07:46
Imaging Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake in Astrocytes and Neurons using Genetically Encoded Ca2+ Indicators (GECIs)
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Cited by 2 •
2022
This proctocol aims to provide a method for in vitro and in vivo mitochondrial Ca2+ imaging in astrocytes and neurons.
02:59
Animal Mitochondrial Genetics
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2020
Among all the organelles in an animal cell, only mitochondria have their own independent genomes. Animal mitochondrial DNA is a double-stranded, closed-circular molecule with around 20,000 base pairs. Mitochondrial DNA is unique in that one of its two strands, the heavy, or H, -strand is guanine rich, whereas the complementary strand is cytosine rich and called the light, or L, -strand. Compared to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA has a very low percentage of non-coding regions and is marked by...
FAQs
These indicators respond to the electrical state across the mitochondrial membrane, often through fluorescence changes or selective accumulation under defined conditions. A measured signal therefore provides information about whether mitochondrial membrane potential has changed, rather than simply showing where mitochondria are located. In neurons, this helps connect mitochondrial performance with activity, stress, and signaling.
Genetically encoded sensors and fluorescent probes use different designs to report mitochondrial state. Encoded sensors are produced within the biological system being studied, whereas probes provide an introduced fluorescent measurement that can selectively accumulate in mitochondria under defined conditions. Both approaches can track functional parameters in living cells or tissues, but their signals depend on the parameter and indicator design.
Mitochondrial indicators can be designed to report ATP levels, calcium, reactive oxygen species, or mitochondrial distribution in addition to membrane potential. These measurements represent different aspects of mitochondrial function: energy availability, calcium handling, oxidative stress, and spatial organization. Examining several signals can help distinguish altered energy metabolism from changes in signaling, stress, or mitochondrial positioning.
Selection should begin with the biological question and the mitochondrial parameter that best addresses it. An indicator designed for ATP is appropriate for energy-metabolism questions, whereas calcium or reactive-oxygen-species indicators address signaling or stress. For studies of axons and synapses, a distribution-focused design may be more informative than a probe aimed only at functional state.
In neuronal studies, these indicators allow mitochondrial responses to be monitored alongside activity and synaptic function in living cells or tissues. The resulting fluorescence patterns can show how mitochondrial energy production, calcium handling, or stress-related signals change in relation to neuronal processes. This connects organelle behavior with the cellular demands created by neural communication.
Mitochondrial indicators provide measurements that support research on dysfunction associated with neurodegeneration. By tracking membrane potential, ATP, calcium, reactive oxygen species, or distribution, researchers can examine how disease-related conditions affect mitochondrial performance. The same readouts can help evaluate potential therapies that target mitochondrial dysfunction, including whether treatment alters the functional signals observed in neurons.