Biomaterial Database

Measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential and proton leak. 2010

Gaetano Serviddio, and Juan Sastre

Department of Medical and Occupational Medicine, Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.

The major component of mitochondrial electrochemical potential gradient of protons is the mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi), and hence it is a suitable parameter for assessment of mitochondrial function. Dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential causes uncoupling of the electron transport through the respiratory chain and the phosphorylation reaction for ATP synthesis (proton leak). Proton leak functions as a regulator of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and its modulation by uncoupling proteins, which may be involved in pathophysiology. In this report, we describe the assays for mitochondrial membrane potential and proton leak, which require a TPP(+) electrode and a Clark electrode. The determination of mitochondrial peroxide production with homovanillic acid is also included.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008928	Mitochondria	Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D010545	Peroxides	A group of compounds that contain a bivalent O-O group, i.e., the oxygen atoms are univalent. They can either be inorganic or organic in nature. Such compounds release atomic (nascent) oxygen readily. Thus they are strong oxidizing agents and fire hazards when in contact with combustible materials, especially under high-temperature conditions. The chief industrial uses of peroxides are as oxidizing agents, bleaching agents, and initiators of polymerization. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)	Peroxide
D011522	Protons	Stable elementary particles having the smallest known positive charge, found in the nuclei of all elements. The proton mass is less than that of a neutron. A proton is the nucleus of the light hydrogen atom, i.e., the hydrogen ion.	Hydrogen Ions,Hydrogen Ion,Ion, Hydrogen,Ions, Hydrogen,Proton
D004566	Electrodes	Electric conductors through which electric currents enter or leave a medium, whether it be an electrolytic solution, solid, molten mass, gas, or vacuum.	Anode,Anode Materials,Cathode,Cathode Materials,Anode Material,Anodes,Cathode Material,Cathodes,Electrode,Material, Anode,Material, Cathode
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017382	Reactive Oxygen Species	Molecules or ions formed by the incomplete one-electron reduction of oxygen. These reactive oxygen intermediates include SINGLET OXYGEN; SUPEROXIDES; PEROXIDES; HYDROXYL RADICAL; and HYPOCHLOROUS ACID. They contribute to the microbicidal activity of PHAGOCYTES, regulation of SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION and GENE EXPRESSION, and the oxidative damage to NUCLEIC ACIDS; PROTEINS; and LIPIDS.	Active Oxygen Species,Oxygen Radical,Oxygen Radicals,Pro-Oxidant,Reactive Oxygen Intermediates,Active Oxygen,Oxygen Species, Reactive,Pro-Oxidants,Oxygen, Active,Pro Oxidant,Pro Oxidants,Radical, Oxygen
D051381	Rats	The common name for the genus Rattus.	Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus
D053078	Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial	The voltage difference, normally maintained at approximately -180mV, across the INNER MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANE, by a net movement of positive charge across the membrane. It is a major component of the PROTON MOTIVE FORCE in MITOCHONDRIA used to drive the synthesis of ATP.	Delta Psi M,DeltaPsi M,DeltapsiM,Mitochondrial Membrane Potential,Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential,M, DeltaPsi,Membrane Potentials, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Membrane Potentials,Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potentials,Transmembrane Potential, Mitochondrial,Transmembrane Potentials, Mitochondrial