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Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Determination of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Reactive Oxygen Species in Live Rat Cortical Neurons
Published on: May 23, 2011
Brightness and shadows of mitochondrial ROS in the brain
Daniel Jimenez-Blasco1, Angeles Almeida2, Juan P Bolaños1
1Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica (IBFG), Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, Salamanca, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) have been generally considered harmful byproducts wanted to clear when elevated to avoid brain damage. However, the abundance of mROS in astrocytes is very high -about one order of magnitude above that in neurons-, despite they are essential to preserve cell metabolism and animal behavior. Here, we have focused on this apparent ambiguity by discussing (i) the intrinsic mechanisms accounting for the higher production of mROS by the mitochondrial respiratory chain in astrocytes than in neurons, (ii) the specific molecular targets of astrocytic beneficial mROS, and (iii) how decreased astrocytic mROS causes excess neuronal mROS leading to cellular and organismal damage. We hope that this mini-review serves to clarifying the apparent controversy on the beneficial versus deleterious faces of ROS in the brain from molecular to higher-order organismal levels.
Insights
Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are crucial for astrocyte function, despite higher levels than neurons. Reduced astrocytic mROS leads to neuronal damage and organismal harm.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are typically viewed as harmful byproducts.
- Astrocytes exhibit significantly higher mROS levels than neurons, yet these are vital for cellular metabolism and behavior.
Approach:
- Discusses intrinsic mechanisms of higher mROS production in astrocyte mitochondria.
- Identifies specific molecular targets of beneficial mROS in astrocytes.
- Explains how diminished astrocytic mROS results in elevated neuronal mROS and subsequent damage.
Key Points:
- Astrocytes generate mROS at a much higher rate than neurons due to specific mitochondrial respiratory chain mechanisms.
- Beneficial mROS in astrocytes target specific molecules essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis.
- A decrease in astrocytic mROS disrupts neuronal function, leading to oxidative stress and damage.
Conclusions:
- The dual role of ROS in the brain, both beneficial and detrimental, is clarified at molecular and organismal levels.
- This review aims to resolve the apparent controversy surrounding ROS in brain function and pathology.
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