JC-1 Dye for Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

On this page:

• Mitochondrial membrane potential changes in apoptosis
• JC-1 dye as a mitochondrial membrane potential indicator
• JC-1 dye products
• JC-1 dye protocols
• Alternatives to JC-1 dye
   

Related content:

• Additional mitochondria function assays
• Apoptosis assays
   

A distinctive feature of the early stages of programmed cell death is the disruption of active mitochondria. This mitochondrial disruption includes changes in the membrane potential and alterations to the oxidation–reduction potential of the mitochondria. Changes in the membrane potential are presumed to be associated with the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), allowing passage of ions and small molecules. The resulting equilibration of ions leads in turn to the decoupling of the respiratory chain and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol.
 

Probes that detect mitochondrial membrane potential are positively charged, causing them to accumulate in the electronegative interior of the mitochondrion. Changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential can be measured by a variety of fluorescence techniques such as flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging. Mitochondrion-selective reagents enable researchers to probe mitochondrial health, localization, and abundance, as well as to screen and monitor the effects of some pharmacological agents.
 

The membrane-permeant JC-1 dye is widely used in apoptosis studies to monitor mitochondrial health (1). JC-1 dye exhibits potential-dependent accumulation in mitochondria, indicated by a green fluorescence emission at (~529 nm) for the monomeric form of the probe, which shifts to red (~590 nm) with a concentration-dependent formation of red fluorescent J-aggregates (see Figure 1). Consequently, mitochondrial depolarization is indicated by a decrease in the red/green fluorescence intensity ratio.
 

At higher concentrations (aqueous solutions above 0.1 µM) or higher potentials, JC-1 dye monomer forms red fluorescent "J-aggregates" where it has accumulated within the mitochondria. The J-aggregates exhibit a broad excitation spectrum and an emission maximum at ~590 nm. At lower internal mitochondrial concentrations or low membrane potential, the JC-1 dye is present as monomers, exhibiting an emission of 529 nm.

• Applicable to a variety of cell types
• Highly selective for mitochondria
• Referenced protocols for flow cytometric analysis

JC-1 dye can be used as an indicator of mitochondrial potential in a variety of cell types, including myocytes and neurons, as well as in intact tissues and isolated mitochondria.

The ratio of green to red fluorescence depends only on the mitochondrial membrane potential and not on other factors such as mitochondrial size, shape, and density, which may influence single-component fluorescence signals. Use of fluorescence ratio detection therefore allows researchers to make comparative measurements of membrane potential and determine the percentage of mitochondria within a population that respond to an applied stimulus.

Various types of ratio measurements are possible by combining signals from the green-fluorescent JC-1 monomer (absorption/emission maxima ~514/529 nm in water) and the red-fluorescent J-aggregates (emission maximum 590 nm), which can be effectively excited anywhere between 485 nm and its absorption maximum at 585 nm. Optical filters designed for fluorescein and tetramethylrhodamine can be used to separately visualize the monomer and J-aggregate forms, respectively. Alternatively, both forms can be observed simultaneously using a standard fluorescein long-pass optical filter set.

Chen and colleagues have used JC-1 to investigate mitochondrial potentials in live cells by ratiometric techniques
(Figure 2) and were able to discern subtle heterogeneity in cellular responses (2-3). For example, four distinct patterns of mitochondrial membrane potential change in response to glutamate receptor activation in neurons have been identified using confocal ratio imaging of JC-1 ratiometric fluorescence (Figure 2).

In flow cytometry, the use of JC-1 to conduct polychromatic analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential has been detailed with and without compensation (2).

Figure 2. Bivariate JC-1 Dye (Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Probe, T3168) analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential in HL60 cells by flow cytometry. The sensitivity of this technique is demonstrated by the response to K⁺/valinomycin (V1644, Fluorescent Na⁺ and K⁺ Indicators—Section 21.1)–induced depolarization (panels B and D) as compared to the control (panel A). Distinct populations of cells with different extents of mitochondrial depolarization are detectable following apoptosis-inducing treatment with 5 µM staurosporine for two hours (panel C). (Figure courtesy of Andrea Cossarizza, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.)

JC-1 dye is available in different formats as either a stand-alone reagent or kitted with a mitochondrial membrane disrupter and buffers.

Protocols are available for both the imaging kit and the flow cytometry kit. The flow cytometry protocol includes a description of combining JC-1 staining with annexin V conjugate labeling.

Get the JC-1 protocol for flow cytometry

The imaging protocol includes a description of JC-1 staining conditions in a selection of cell types, including both adherent and dissociated.

Get the JC-1 protocol for imaging
 

Although JC-1 is widely used, there are alternative reagents to fit different filters in flow cytometry, options for studying detection of dynamic changes using single-emission, non-ratiometric reagents, and also options for using end point assays to assess mitochondrial membrane potential.

Learn more about other functional assays for studying Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

There are additional methods for assessing cells for apoptosis beyond detecting changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Because no single parameter fully defines apoptosis in all systems and the appearance of these changes can vary with apoptotic pathway or cell types, it is often advantageous to use several different approaches when studying apoptosis.

Learn more about other Apoptosis Assays
 

1. Reers M, Smith TW, Chen LB. (1991) J-aggregate formation of a carbocyanine as a quantitative fluorescent indicator of membrane potential. Biochemistry. 30(18): 4480-6.
2. Sara De Biasi S, Gibellini L, Cossarizza A (2015) Uncompensated Polychromatic Analysis of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Using JC-1 and Multilaser Excitation. Curr Protoc Cytom 72(1): 7.32.1-7.32.11.
3. Smiley ST, Reers M, Mottola-hartshorn C, et al. (1991) Intracellular heterogeneity in mitochondrial membrane potentials revealed by a J-aggregate-forming lipophilic cation JC-1. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 88(9): 3671-5.