MitoLight Mitochondrial Apoptosis Detection Kit

Disruption of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential is one of the earliest intracellular events that occur following induction of apoptosis. The MitoLight Apoptosis Detection Kit utilizes a lipophilic cation, termed as MitoLight, as a mitochondrial activity marker. MitoLight is a mitochondrial dye that stains mitochondria in living cells in a membrane potential-dependent fashion. The monomer is in equilibrium with so-called J-aggregates, which are favored at higher dye concentration or higher mitochondrial membrane potential.

MitoLight partitions differently in healthy cells than in apoptotic cells. Therefore, it has been possible to use a fluorescence ratioing technique to study mitochondrial membrane potentials. In healthy cells, the dye accumulates and aggregates in the mitochondria, giving off a bright red fluorescence (λem = 585-590 nm). In apoptotic cells with altered mitochondrial membrane potential, the dye in its monomeric form stays in the cytoplasm, fluorescing green (λem = 527-530 nm), providing a ready discrimination between apoptotic and nonapoptotic cells. The fluorescence can be observed by fluorescence microscopy using a band-pass filter (detects FITC and rhodamine) or analyzed by flow cytometry using FITC channel for green monomers (Ex/Em = 488/530) and PI channel for red aggregates (Ex/Em = 488/585).

For research use only; Not for use in diagnostic procedures

Research Category
Apoptosis & Cancer

MitoLight (Part No. 71612): 25 μL in DMSO.

10X Incubation Buffer (Part No. 71614): 20 mL.

Store kit materials at -20°C up to their expiration date. After thawing, unused kit components can be refrozen. For best results, aliquot the MitoLight reagent into separate vials to avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

PROTECT REAGENTS FROM LIGHT.

CHEMICON is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Unless otherwise stated in our catalog or other company documentation accompanying the product(s), our products are intended for research use only and are not to be used for any other purpose, which includes but is not limited to, unauthorized commercial uses, in vitro diagnostic uses, ex vivo or in vivo therapeutic uses or any type of consumption or application to humans or animals.