Imaging mitochondrial membrane potential via concentration-dependent fluorescence lifetime changes.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondria are central to cellular metabolism. Various fluorescence tools have been developed for imaging the mitochondrial environment. Yet, new reporters and imaging methods for directly reading the mitochondrial status are needed for high spatial-temporal resolution imaging. Here, we introduce PK Mito Deep Red (PKMDR), a low-phototoxicity mitochondrial probe for time-lapse imaging, whose fluorescence lifetime serves as a sensitive indicator of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m). The positively charged PKMDR accumulates within mitochondria under a higher Δψ_m, leading to concentration-induced quenching and a measurable decrease in fluorescence lifetime. Since mitochondrial respiration primarily regulates Δψ_m, PKMDR's fluorescence lifetime effectively

SUBMITTER: Saimi D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12700901 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature