Protocol to characterize mitochondrial supercomplexes from mouse tissues by combining BN-PAGE and MS-based proteomics
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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Analyzing Supercomplexes of the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain with Native Electrophoresis, In-gel Assays, and Electroelution
Published on: June 1, 2017
Roger Moreno-Justicia1, Alba Gonzalez-Franquesa1, Ben Stocks1
1Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark.
Abstract:
The assembly of mitochondrial respiratory complexes into supercomplexes has significant implications for mitochondrial function. This protocol details mitochondrial isolation from mouse tissues and the use of blue native gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) to separate pre-identified mitochondrial supercomplexes into different gel bands. We then describe the excision of the individual bands, followed by in-gel protein digestion and peptide desalting for mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics. This protocol provides a time-efficient measurement of the abundance and distribution of proteins within known supercomplexes. For complete details on the use and execution of this profile, please refer to Gonzalez-Franquesa et al. (2021).

