Monitoring Changes in Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

Guava Technologies has published a technical poster that describes and details results from a new live cell multi-parameter fluorescence assay that may be used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis. The new technical poster describes how the Guava MitoPotential assay when used in conjunction with the Guava EasyCyte System, a blue laser 96-well microcapillary flow cytometry instrument, allows you to discern healthy, polarised cells from the apoptotic/ depolarised and dead cells. Loss of mitochondrial membrane activity is often observed to be associated with the early stages of apoptosis. The Guava MitoPotential assay uses the fluorescent cationic dye, JC-1, and the dead cell dye, 7-AAD, for discerning apoptotic cells from dead cells. In healthy, non-apoptotic cells, the JC-1 dye enters the mitochondrial matrix, accumulates as aggregates and stains the mitochondria bright red. In apoptotic cells, the mitochondrial membrane potential collapses, and the JC-1 enters the cytoplasm as a monomeric form where it fluoresces green.