Novel Methods for Measuring the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

The mitochondrial membrane potential is a critical parameter for understanding mitochondrial function, but it is challenging to quantitate with current methodologies which are based on the accumulation of cation indicators. Recently we have introduced a new methodology based on the redox poise of the b-hemes of the bc 1 complex. Here we describe the thermodynamic framework and algorithms necessary to calculate the membrane potential from the measured oxidation states of the b-hemes.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Molecular Medicine - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: news