Mitochondrial function assays

Analyzing Mitochondria at Higher Resolution 
New Probes of Mitochondrial Function

MitoPlates from Biolog provide a powerful new research tool by allowing scientists to run preconfigured sets of 96 mitochondrial function assays in one experiment. Mitochondria can be interrogated and characterized in novel ways, looking at rates of substrate metabolism, sensitivity to drugs and other chemicals, and effects of mutations in mitochondria-related genes.

Mitoplate image

Investigate how mitochondria change with:

  • Cell differentiation
  • Cancer & Aging
  • Neurological disorders
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Immune cell activation
  • Bacterial/viral infection
  • Inborn genetic defects

 

Assay Principle

Mitochondrial function is assayed by measuring the rates of electron flow into and through the electron transport chain from metabolic substrates that produce NAD(P)H or FADH2 such as L-malate, succinate, pyruvate, etc. Each substrate follows a different route, using different transporters to enter the mitochondria and different dehydrogenases to produce NAD(P)H or FADH2, The electrons travel from the beginning (complex 1 or 2) to the distal portion of the electron transport chain where a tetrazolium redox dye (MC) acts as a terminal electron acceptor that turns purple upon reduction. Additional MitoPlate assays probe the sensitivity of the mitochondria to a set of 22 diverse inhibitors.

Mito tables

Assay procedure

Simple Assay Procedure:

  • STEP 1: Prepare and pipet assay mixture containing cell permeabilizing buffer and redox dye into appropriate wells.
  • STEP 2: Start the assays by adding 2x cell suspension to all wells.
  • STEP 3: Load the MicroPlate into the OmniLog® for kinetic reading of the rate of purple color formation.

 

Unique Features and Advantages:

  • MitoPlates are preloaded with 96 tests ready for use
  • Plates designed to measure effects of substrates and inhibitors on mitochondrial function
  • Easy, robust protocols with any cell type – adherent or suspension cells, transformed cell lines or primary cells
  • Assays need only 20,000 to 40,000 cells per well
  • Novel tetrazolium dye chemistry provides a terminal electron acceptor in easy to read colorimetric assays
  • OmniLog instrument provides automated temperature controlled incubation and kinetic reading of multiple plates (50 plates at 15 min, or 16 at 5 min intervals)

 

OmniLog® System and Analysis Software

The OmniLog Instrument and associated software allows for real-time recording and kinetic analysis of electron flow rates. The OmniLog can simultaneously incubate and read up to 50 MitoPlates and provides powerful analysis tools to get the most from your experimental data.