Fluorescent pH and oxygen probes of the assessment of mitochondrial toxicity in isolated mitochondria and whole cells.

Oxygen consumption measurements provide information on the activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and such measurements can be carried out on both isolated mitochondria and whole cells. Additional information is available on glycolytic metabolism by assessing extracellular acidification. The protocols in this unit describe how recently developed fluorescent pH- and O(2)-sensitive probes can be used as tools for the assessment of mitochondrial toxicity and metabolic function in standard microtiter plates. In addition, protocols for the isolation of mitochondria from different tissue sources are provided.