NutriCulture JC-1 Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Assay Kit uses JC-1, a lipophilic cationic dye, to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential in variety of cell types, as well as intact tissues and isolated mitochondria.
 
Mitochondrial membrane potential is an important parameter of mitochondrial function and has been used as an indicator of cell health. In healthy cells with high mitochondrial membrane potential, JC-1 forms complexes known as J-aggregates. While in cells with low mitochondrial membrane potential, JC-1 remains in the monomeric form. When excited at 490 nm, JC-1 monomers emit a green fluorescence with a maximum at ~520 nm. Aggregates of JC-1 emit an orange-red fluorescence with a maximum at ~590 nm. Therefore, the fluorescence intensity of the orange-red emission and the ratio of orange-red fluorescence to green fluorescence can be used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential and serve as an indicator of overall cell health.
 
NutriCulture JC-1 Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Assay Kit can be analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometer, or a fluorescence plate reader with appropriate filter sets.
 
Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) is provided to induce a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential as a positive control reagent.