Visualization and quantification of cardiac mitochondrial protein clusters with STED microscopy

Mitochondrion. 2012 Mar;12(2):230-6. doi: 10.1016/j.mito.2011.09.004. Epub 2011 Sep 25.

Abstract

The visualization and quantification of mitochondria-associated proteins with high power microscopy methods is of particular interest to investigate protein architecture in this organelle. We report the usage of a custom-made STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) fluorescence nanoscope with ~30nm lateral resolution for protein mapping of Percoll-purified viable mitochondria from murine heart. Using this approach, we were able to quantify and resolve distinct protein clusters within mitochondria; specifically, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 is distributed in clusters of ~28nm; whereas the voltage dependent anion channel 1 displays three size distributions of ~33, ~55 and ~83nm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Mitochondria / chemistry*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / analysis*
  • Myocardium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Proteins