Mitochondria are peculiar organelles that act as the power plants of the cell. They have a double membrane system which makes it to be structurally divided into four compartments: inner membrane, outer membrane, matrix and intermembrane space. The matrix is considered the highly functional zone inside mitochondria, due to its responsibility for ATP production and it also contains mitochondrial DNA, RNA and ribosomes enabling production of limited number of mitochondrial proteins.

Mitochondrial dysfunction, due to their influence in cell metabolisms and energetics, plays major role in the pathogenesis and development of a range of human diseases such as neurological disorders (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Huntington’s diseases), diabetes mellitus, myopathies, cardiovascular diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome and a variety of other systemic disorders.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been recognized as a contributing factor to various drug-induced cell toxicities.

CREATING SOLUTIONS BY INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES

GBS Leiden offers a full mitochondrial  function and toxicity profiling  platform (MitoGBS)  developed to:

  • ● Screen for potential inhibitors of the electron transport chain (OXPHOS)
  • ● Assess mitochondrial function in cells by detecting the rate of glycolysis and respiration
  • ● Measure mitochondrial membrane potential
  • ● Distinguish primary mitochondrial dysfunction from secondary cytotoxic events

MitoGBS platform for mitochondrial screening is designed to create a full mitochondrial     function and toxicity profile. Our platform     consist of assays that are grouped into a series of preliminary screens that determine basal mitochondrial status of intact cells followed by a series of functional assays that evaluate    specific aspects of  mitochondrial function.

FEATURES of MitoGBS

  • ● Assessment of mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis, and membrane potential
  • ● Compatibility with adherent and suspension primary cells, cell lines, PBMCs, and isolated mitochondria
  • ● Flexible format (12/24/96-wells)
  • ● Multiple drugs assessment
  • ● EC50 or ECmax
  • ● End-point or kinetic read-outs

BENEFITS

EXAMPLE DATA

Figure: MMP measured by flow cytometry. 
Decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) after statin treatment in lymphocytes (upper panel) and monocytes (bottom panel) measured by flow cytometry.