When and How to Measure Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Potentials

[@mauriciodasilvabaptista7169]

Congratulations Alicia. Very well prepared and will it help people to properly work with some of the most important and widespread measures in mitochondria!

[@DanielHass-b3r]

Really wonderful talk! This should be a prerequisite for anyone assessing mitochondrial energetics! One question - in the description of quench and non-quench modes, the chemical tools used to decrease mitochondrial membrane potential are AA and Oligomycin. AA will decrease the flow of H+ to the matrix, but Oligomycin should decrease the flow of H+ out of the matrix. In a perfect world, shouldn't using both prevent any change in the potential? Or is a gradual decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential with these drugs supposed to represent leak?

[@aliciakowaltowski7470]

The inner membrane is not perfectly impermeable to protons. Oligomycin is there to prevent the reverse activity of ATP synthase, which can generate a membrane potential in the absence of ETC activity.

[@wus9472]

Thank you, a question for you please. does the crista membrane have varying potential on different areas of the same crista at the same time.? We know crista is an independent unit having its own membrane potential and varies from surrounding crista. In other words is the membrane potential different at the ETC complexes where proton is released and where ATP synthesis occurs where protons are consumed?

[@aliciakowaltowski7470]

Have a look at EMBO Rep (2021) 22: e52727 - they did these measurements.

[@wus9472]

Thank you