The selective detection of mitochondrial superoxide by live cell imaging

KM Robinson, MS Janes, JS Beckman - Nature protocols, 2008 - nature.com
KM Robinson, MS Janes, JS Beckman
Nature protocols, 2008nature.com
A general protocol is described to improve the specificity for imaging superoxide formation in
live cells via fluorescence microscopy with either hydroethidine (HE) or its mitochondrially
targeted derivative Mito-HE (MitoSOX Red). Two different excitation wavelengths are used to
distinguish the superoxide-dependent hydroxylation of Mito-HE (385–405 nm) from the
nonspecific formation of ethidium (480–520 nm). Furthermore, the dual wavelength imaging
in live cells can be combined with immunocolocalization, which allows superoxide formation …
Abstract
A general protocol is described to improve the specificity for imaging superoxide formation in live cells via fluorescence microscopy with either hydroethidine (HE) or its mitochondrially targeted derivative Mito-HE (MitoSOX Red). Two different excitation wavelengths are used to distinguish the superoxide-dependent hydroxylation of Mito-HE (385–405 nm) from the nonspecific formation of ethidium (480–520 nm). Furthermore, the dual wavelength imaging in live cells can be combined with immunocolocalization, which allows superoxide formation to be compared simultaneously in cocultures of two types of genetically manipulated cells in the same microscopic field. The combination of these approaches can greatly improve the specificity for imaging superoxide formation in cultured cells and tissues.
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