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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Cellular Redox Profiling Using High-content Microscopy

Cellular Redox Profiling Using High-content Microscopy

Published on: May 14, 2017

Oxidative stress causes reversible changes in mitochondrial permeability and structure.

Nelson B Cole¹, Mathew P Daniels, Rodney L Levine

¹Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-8012, USA. ncole@nhlbi.nih.gov

Experimental Gerontology

|January 26, 2010

Summary

Reactive oxygen species alter mitochondrial permeability, making matrix proteins detectable. This rapid, reversible change suggests a role in cell communication.

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Mitochondrial Research
Oxidative Stress

Background:

Mitochondria are central players in cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and are also targets of ROS.
Mitochondrial matrix proteins are typically inaccessible to antibodies in fixed cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effect of oxidative stress on mitochondrial permeability and protein accessibility.
To explore the structural and permeability changes in mitochondria induced by ROS.

Main Methods:

Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to detect mitochondrial matrix proteins.
Cells were subjected to oxidative stress before fixation and permeabilization with saponin.
Electron microscopy was employed to examine mitochondrial structure.

Main Results:

Oxidative stress rendered normally undetectable mitochondrial matrix proteins accessible.
Electron microscopy showed loss of matrix density and disorganized inner membrane cristae upon oxidative stress.
These structural and permeability changes were rapidly reversible upon removal of oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

Reactive oxygen species can reversibly alter mitochondrial membrane permeability.
This reversible permeability change may serve as a communication mechanism within the cell, potentially linking nuclear and mitochondrial functions.