[Measurement of mitochondrial transmembrane electric potential using the fluorescent probe DSM]

The measurement of transmembrane electric potential of rat liver mitochondria was performed with fluorescent probe DSM. In the incubation medium with succinate the electric potential was -190 +/- 5 mV. Complete uncoupling caused by CCCP in the concentration 0.5 microM decreased the potential to -142 +/- 3 mV. In the partial uncoupling with a half of the mentioned CCCP concentration the potential was -158 +/- 6 mV. DSM influence on oxidation and phosphorylation was not detected.