Mitochondria play a vital role in the production of ATP and also function as local regulators of intracellular calcium levels. The accumulation of excessive calcium ions within mitochondria can lead to oxidative stress, impair mitochondrial function, and ultimately trigger apoptosis-induced cell death through mitochondrial permeability transition. Hence, it is crucial to accurately monitor the levels of calcium ions in mitochondrial disease. Protheragen provides tailored and comprehensive services for the detection of mitochondrial calcium ions, aiming to enhance the efficiency and success rate of our client's projects.
Pathophysiology of Mitochondrial Calcium Ion
Mitochondrial calcium ions play a crucial role in various cellular activities, such as regulating the production of ATP, managing mitochondrial metabolism, and controlling cell death. The transportation of calcium ions from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria is an active process that can stimulate enzyme activity and oxidative phosphorylation within these organelles. Moreover, calcium ions also contribute to adjusting the potential of the mitochondrial membrane, which is vital for maintaining optimal function and energy generation. Considering that maintaining a balanced level of mitochondrial Ca2+ is closely associated with both cellular growth and apoptosis regulation, it has been implicated in numerous pathophysiological processes related to mitochondrial diseases.
Fig.1 The general model of calcium transport in cells. (Giorgi, C., et al., 2018)
Our Services
Calcium ions play diverse roles within the mitochondria, ranging from modulating energy metabolism to orchestrating cell death pathways. Given their significance, Protheragen offers a mitochondrial calcium ion detection service that utilizes cutting-edge techniques for precise measurement and monitoring of calcium ion dynamics in the mitochondrial environment.
Fluorescent Dye Method
The utilization of specific fluorescent dyes, such as Rhod-2 and Fluo-4, enables their binding to calcium ions and generation of a fluorescence signal in response to changes in calcium ion concentration. This technique is typically detected through fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry.
Optogenetic Calcium Sensors
The utilization of photosensitive proteins, such as the GCaMP family, enables real-time monitoring of calcium ion concentrations. These photo-biosensors are capable of conducting calcium ion imaging in cells or animal models.
Calcium Sensitive Electrode Method
Direct measurement of changes in cellular or subcellular calcium ion concentration is achieved using specialized electrodes that are selective for calcium ions. Although highly sensitive, this method necessitates the use of dedicated electrode equipment.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Method
By employing the principle of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), calcium ion binding proteins are labeled with two fluorescent proteins or dyes. Upon calcium ion binding, the relative positions of the two fluorophores undergo changes, leading to alterations in FRET signals.
Our Advantages
The pathophysiology of mitochondrial Ca2+ revolves around the intricate regulation of calcium dynamics within mitochondria, influencing various cellular processes and contributing to the pathogenesis of mitochondrial diseases. We can effectively monitor mitochondrial calcium accumulation and compare how this function is affected by genetic factors and drugs. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our mitochondrial calcium ion detection service, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time. We look forward to collaborating with you on your upcoming projects.
Reference
- Giorgi, C.; et al. (2018). The machineries, regulation and cellular functions of mitochondrial calcium. Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology, 19(11), 713–730.
