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Updated: May 26, 2026

Monitoring Dynamic Changes In Mitochondrial Calcium Levels During Apoptosis Using A Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor
Published on: April 1, 2011
Label-free Raman observation of cytochrome c dynamics during apoptosis
Masaya Okada1, Nicholas Isaac Smith, Almar Flotildes Palonpon
1Department of Applied Physics, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Abstract:
We performed label-free observation of molecular dynamics in apoptotic cells by Raman microscopy. Dynamic changes in cytochrome c distribution at the Raman band of 750 cm(-1) were observed after adding an apoptosis inducer to the cells. The comparison of mitochondria fluorescence images and Raman images of cytochrome c confirmed that changes in cytochrome c distribution can be distinguished as release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Our observation also revealed that the redox state of cytochrome c was maintained during the release from the mitochondria. Monitoring mitochondrial membrane potential with JC-1 dye confirmed that the observed cytochrome c release was associated with apoptosis.

