Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
Author Spotlight: Fluorescence-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Superoxide Levels Using Live Imaging in HeLa Cells
Published on: May 12, 2023
Phosphinate-based mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for imaging and detection of endogenous superoxide in live
Saipeng Huang1, Xiaojie Zhang2, Yangping Liu3
1State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Center for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, 100190 Beijing, China; School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, 710069 Xi'an, China.
Abstract:
Monitoring superoxide anion radical (O2•-) in live cells and in vivo is of great significance since O2•- is the precursor of other reactive oxygen species and has been closely associated with various physiological and pathological processes. Herein, we developed a novel mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe PF-MitoSOX Green in which the phosphinate moiety is utilized to recognize O2•- with high sensitivity and selectivity. Confocal imaging results illustrated that PF-MitoSOX Green can not only detect intracellular O2•-, but also can conveniently visualize its production in cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. The present study illustrates that PF-MitoSOX Green provides a novel approach for imaging and detecting O2•- in live cells and in vivo.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Peroxisomes and Mitochondria
The peroxisome is a single membrane-bound cellular organelle that can perform several different functions, including lipid metabolism and chemical detoxification. The enzymes within...
01:37Mitochondria
01:19Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:22Target Cell Response to Hormones
Notably, the cellular response can be regulated by altering the number of receptors expressed in the cell. For example, prolonged exposure to elevated hormone levels results in a gradual decline or down-regulation in the number of receptors for that specific hormone on the cell surface. Conversely, in response to low hormone levels, cells may use up-regulation, producing an...
01:19Protein Dynamics in Living Cells
Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a fluorescent-protein-based detection technique used to quantify protein movement rates within the cell. This method exposes a small portion of the cell to an intense laser beam. The laser beam causes permanent photobleaching of the fluorophore-tagged proteins in the exposed region. As the bleached...