title: Characterization of depolarization and repolarization phases of mitochondrial membrane potential fluctuations induced by tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester photoactivation.
abstract: Depolarization and repolarization phases (D and R phases, respectively) of mitochondrial potential fluctuations induced by photoactivation of the fluorescent probe tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) were analyzed separately and investigated using specific inhibitors and substrates. The frequency of R phases was significantly inhibited by oligomycin and aurovertin (mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitors), rotenone (mitochondrial complex I inhibitor) and iodoacetic acid (inhibitor of the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase). Succinic acid (mitochondrial complex II substrate, given in the permeable form of dimethyl ester) abolished the rotenone-induced inhibition of R phases. Taken together, these findings indicate that the activity of both respiratory chain and ATP synthase were required for the recovery of the mitochondrial potential. The frequency of D phases prevailed over that of R phases in all experimental conditions, resulting in a progressive depolarization of mitochondria accompanied by NAD(P)H oxidation and Ca2+ influx. D phases were not blocked by cyclosporin A (inhibitor of the permeability transition pore) or o-phenyl-EGTA (a Ca2+ chelator), suggesting that the permeability transition pore was not involved in mitochondrial potential fluctuations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Falchi
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isola
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diana
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Putzolu
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Diaz
mesh_terms: D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012235:Rhodamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012235:Rhodamines; C401833:tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester