Valle 1986 Biochem Biophys Res Commun

Valle VG, Pereira-da-Silva L, Vercesi AE (1986) Undesirable feature of safranine as a probe for mitochondrial membrane potential. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 135: 189-195.

» PMID: 3954769

Valle VG, Pereira-da-Silva L, Vercesi AE (1986) Biochem Biophys Res Commun

Abstract: This communication describes experiments showing that safranine, at the concentrations usually employed as a probe of mitochondrial membrane potential, causes significant undesirable side effects on Ca2+ transport by liver mitochondria. The major observations are: (i) safranine potentiates the spontaneous Ca2+ release from liver mitochondria induced by phosphate or acetoacetate. This is paralelled by potentiation of the release of state-4 respiration and of the rate of mitochondrial swelling, indicating a generalized effect of the dye on the mitochondrial membrane; (ii) the efflux of mitochondrial Ca2+ stimulated by hydroperoxide is irreversible in the presence of safranine even if membrane stabilizers such as Mg2+ and ATP are present. It is concluded that the use of safranine to monitor the changes in membrane potential during Ca2+ transport by mitochondria should be avoided or special care be taken.

Labels:

Tissue;cell: Liver 

Regulation: Ion;substrate transport, mt-Membrane potential  Coupling state: LEAK 

Safranine, Ca2+, mt-swelling