The dissipation of the mitochondrial electrochemical potential gradient (Δψ) is known as an early event in apoptosis. This kit offers a fast and convenient method for the detection of changes in mitochondrial inner-membrane electrochemical potential in living cells using the cationic, lipophilic dye, JC-1.
In normal cells, the JC-1 dye concentrates in the mitochondrial matrix where it forms red fluorescent aggregates. Any event that dissipates the mitochondrial membrane potential (e.g. apoptosis) prevents the accumulation of the JC-1 dye in the mitochondria and thus, the dye is dispersed throughout the entire cell leading to a shift from red (JC-1-aggregates) to green fluorescence (JC-1 monomers). The fluorescence of the cells stained with this kit may be observed by fluorescence microscopy or measured by fluorimetric and flow cytometry analysis.
