ISSN:
1573-6881
Keywords:
Human fibroblasts
;
plasma membrane potential
;
mitochondrial membrane potential
;
tetraphenylphosphonium ion
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) is accumulated by human skin fibroblasts across both the plasma and mitochondrial membranes. We show here that TPP+ uptake is indeed greatly decreased under conditions leading to de-energization of mitochondria. The TPP+ accumulation in the presence of the proton ionophore FCCP has been used for determination of the plasma membrane potential across the plasma membrane, after correction for potential-independent binding of TPP+ to cellular components. Following this procedure, a value of 75 mV has been obtained. Through the amount of TPP+ released by FCCP treatment, an estimate of thein situ mitochondrial membrane potential has been made. Furthermore, we report that the mitochondrial component of TPP+ accumulation decreases with aging of fibroblast cultures.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00762304
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