We would like to thank Dr. Harry Orr at the University of Minnesota for his generous gift of transgenic mice. We would also like to thank the following Skidmore College alum for their work performing the preceding experiments: Monica Villegas, Porter Hall, Mitchell Spring, Nicholas Toker, Jenny Zhang, Chloe Larson and Cheyanne Slocum. Furthermore, we would like to thank Skidmore College for funding the development of these methods.

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

If these methods are used as described, they are capable of detecting and alleviating oxidative phosphorylation-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease mice models. The combined biochemical and behavioral assays are multifaceted methods for determining the extent of mitochondrial contribution to cerebellar neurodegenerative disease pathology. By treating mice with succinic acid to stimulate metabolism and boost mitochondrial function, we are able to show a rescue of cerebellar behaviora...

Mitochondria are the key producers of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an essential coenzyme for cellular energy, with the majority of mitochondrial ATP produced through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) using the electron transport chain. The brain, given its high metabolic demands and its reliance on oxidative phosphorylation for powering neural activity, is highly susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction. As a result, mitochondrial dysfunction is triggered during the aging process 1 and is implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases 2,3,4. Therefore, it follows that mitochondria are attractive therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration.
In this protocol, we have adopted the use of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) as a model neurodegenerative disease for the study of mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of mitochondrial-targeted therapies. SCA1 is caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat expansion mutation in the ataxin-1 gene product which triggers progressive degeneration of the Purkinje neurons of the cerebellum and neurons of other brain regions. The transgenic mouse line used here (designated as the SCA1 mouse), which expresses a polyQ-mutant ataxin-1 transgene under the control of a Purkinje-cell specific promoter, allows for the targeted analysis of the Purkinje-cell component of SCA1 5. SCA1 mice undergo gradual Purkinje cell degeneration and develop ataxic gait 6.
Mitochondrial complex dysfunction and mitochondrial-targeted treatment efficacy can be evaluated with a battery of molecular and behavioral assays. Mitochondrial complex dysfunction is measured ex vivo by respiration assays that detect altered oxygen consumption within cerebellar tissue in the presence of electron transport chain substrates and inhibitors 7. Respiration assays have previously been used with permeabilized tissue, mitochondrial isolates, and whole tissue 7,8,9. They allow for direct assessment of mitochondrial function unlike morphological data collection methods such as transmission electron microscopy or immunofluorescence staining. The use of whole tissue rather than isolated mitochondria prevents biased selection of healthy mitochondria that may occur during the isolation process 7. When adapted to the protocol as shown, the respiration assay is a valuable method for detecting mitochondrial dysfunction in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease states.
Non-specific activators of metabolism can be used to infer mitochondrial dysfunction in transgenic mice models of neurodegenerative disease and aid in the development of new therapies. Quercetin, coenzyme q10 and creatine have all been shown to ameliorate neurodegenerative disease pathology in patients and in animal models of neurodegenerative disease 10,11,12,13,14,15,16. Here we present a novel metabolic activator, succinic acid, to stimulate metabolism and boost mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative disease. To ensure that the activator is crossing the blood brain barrier, HPLC was employed to detect delivery to neural tissue in treated mice 17.
To evaluate the therapeutic effects of metabolically targeted water soluble compounds such as succinic acid, a battery of behavioral paradigms and immunopathological studies can be used. Due to the motor coordination deficits found in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease, the footprint runway assay, beam assay and accelerating rotating rod assay are used to detect rescue of behavioral pathology 6, 18, 19. These measures are supplemented with immunopathological assessment of cerebellar cytoarchitecture by assessing molecular layer thickness (defined as Purkinje cell dendritic arbor length) and Purkinje cell soma counts within a defined lobule of cerebellar tissue 6, 20, 21. Here we present multiple neuropathological and behavioral methods for detection and treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction with metabolically targeted water soluble compounds.
We use ex vivo analysis of mitochondrial respiration to analyze mitochondrial dysfunction in the SCA1 transgenic mouse. Furthermore, we show that disease symptoms and pathology are improved by the water-soluble mitochondrial booster succinic acid, further implicating mitochondrial dysfunction in SCA1 disease progression.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Adenosine diphosphate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>A2754</td><td>ADP</td></tr><tr><td>Ascorbate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>A7631</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bovine serum albumin</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>A2153</td><td>BSA</td></tr><tr><td>4&#039;,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>D9542</td><td>DAPI</td></tr><tr><td>Digitonin</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>D141</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dithiothreitol</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>D0632</td><td>DTT</td></tr><tr><td>Donkey serum</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>D9663</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Glutamate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>1446600</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Malate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>6994</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mannitol</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>M4125</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Paraformaldehyde</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>P6148</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Potassium-lactobionate</td><td>Bio-Sugars</td><td>69313-67-3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rotenone</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>R8875</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Saponin</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>47036</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Succinic Acid</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>S3674</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;em&gt;N,N,N&amp;prime;,N&amp;prime;&lt;/em&gt;-Tetramethyl-&lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt;-phenylenediamine</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>T7394</td><td>TMPD</td></tr><tr><td>Triton X-100</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>T9284</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Urea</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>U0631</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Vectashield mounting medium</td><td>Vector Labs</td><td>H-1000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Antibodies&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>11NQ antibody (anti-ataxin-1 )</td><td></td><td></td><td>Servadio, &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 1995, PMID: 7647801</td></tr><tr><td>Alexa Fluor 488 anti-mouse secondary antibody</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>A-11015</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alexa Fluor 594 anti-rabbit secondary antibody</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>A-11012</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Calbindin antibody (goat)</td><td>Santa Cruz</td><td>C-20</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Animals&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Control transgenic mice</td><td>Harry Orr, Ph.D.</td><td>A02</td><td>Burright, &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 1997, PMID: 9217978</td></tr><tr><td>SCA1 mice</td><td>Harry Orr, Ph.D.</td><td>B05</td><td>Burright, &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 1997, PMID: 9217978</td></tr><tr><td>Wildtype mice</td><td>The Jackson Laboratory</td><td>001800</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Equipment&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ESM-100L microtome</td><td>ERMA</td><td></td><td>Sledge microtome</td></tr><tr><td>Fluoview FV1200 Confocal Microscope</td><td>Olympus</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Glycerol-gelatin slides</td><td>FD Neuro Technologies</td><td>PO101</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hamilton syringe</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>VCAT 80465</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>OXYT1 Oxytherm Electrode Control Unit</td><td>Hansatech Instruments</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>P.T.F.E. paper</td><td>Cole-Parmer</td><td>UX-08277-15</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rotallion Rotarod</td><td>PPP&amp;amp;G</td><td></td><td>contact corresponding author for information</td></tr><tr><td>Ultimate 3000 HPLC</td><td>Dionex</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;Software&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ImageJ</td><td>National Institute of Health</td><td></td><td>&lt;a href=&quot;http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/&quot;&gt;http://imagej.nih.gov/ij/&lt;/a&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>Cell counter plugin (for ImageJ)</td><td>National Institute of Health</td><td></td><td>&lt;a href=&quot;http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/plugins/cell-counter.html&quot;&gt;http://rsb.info.nih.gov/ij/plugins/cell-counter.html&lt;/a&gt;</td></tr><tr><td>3P&amp;amp;G Rota-Rod v3.3.3 (rotarod software)</td><td>PPP&amp;amp;G</td><td></td><td>contact corresponding author for information</td></tr><tr><td>Phidget21.dll (required for rotarod software)</td><td>DLL-Files.com</td><td></td><td>&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.dll-files.com/phidget21.dll.html&quot;&gt;https://www.dll-files.com/phidget21.dll.html&lt;/a&gt;</td></tr></tbody></table>

treating sca1 mice with water-soluble compounds to non-specifically boost mitochondrial function

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in the aging process and in neurodegenerative diseases including several hereditary spinocerebellar ataxias and other movement disorders marked by progressive degeneration of the cerebellum. The goal of this protocol is to assess mitochondrial dysfunction in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and assess the efficacy of pharmacological targeting of metabolic respiration via the water-soluble compound succinic acid to slow disease progression. This approach is applicable to other cerebellar diseases and can be adapted to a host of water-soluble therapies.
Ex vivo analysis of mitochondrial respiration is used to detect and quantify disease-related changes in mitochondrial function. With genetic evidence (unpublished data) and proteomic evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in the SCA1 mouse model, we evaluate the efficacy of treatment with the water-soluble metabolic booster succinic acid by dissolving this compound directly into the home cage drinking water. The ability of the drug to pass the blood brain barrier can be deduced using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The efficacy of these compounds can then be tested using multiple behavioral paradigms including the accelerating rotarod, balance beam test and footprint analysis. Cytoarchitectural integrity of the cerebellum can be assessed using immunofluorescence assays that detect Purkinje cell nuclei and Purkinje cell dendrites and soma. These methods are robust techniques for determining mitochondrial dysfunction and the efficacy of treatment with water-soluble compounds in cerebellar neurodegenerative disease.

Through pharmacological targeting of cerebellar mitochondria with succinic acid we are able to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction in a mouse model of the cerebellar neurodegenerative disease SCA1. The canonical electron donor of succinate dehydrogenase, succinic acid, was dissolved in home cage drinking water of SCA1 mice for one month, with behavioral assessment beginning during the second week of treatment and neuropathological assessment following treatment (Figure...

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Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function | Medicine | Video

Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function

We present a biochemical and behavioral protocol to evaluate the efficacy of mitochondria-targeted water-soluble compounds for the treatment of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and other cerebellar neurodegenerative diseases.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a significant role in the aging process and in neurodegenerative diseases including several hereditary spinocerebellar ...

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10.5K Views.  Skidmore College. We present a biochemical and behavioral protocol to evaluate the efficacy of mitochondria-targeted water-soluble compounds for the treatment of Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and other cerebellar neurodegenerative diseases. 

Video: Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function

Delivery of Therapeutic Agents Through Intracerebroventricular (ICV) and Intravenous (IV) Injection in Mice

Despite the protective role that blood brain barrier plays in shielding the brain, it limits the access to the central nervous system (CNS) which most often results in failure of potential therapeutics designed for neurodegenerative disorders 1,2. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), in which the lower motor neurons are affected, can benefit greatly from introducing the therapeutic agents into the CNS. The purpose of this video is to demonstrate two different injection paradigms to deliver therapeutic materials into neonatal mice soon after birth. One of these methods is injecting directly into cerebral lateral ventricles (Intracerebroventricular) which results in delivery of materials into the CNS through the cerebrospinal fluid 3,4. The second method is a temporal vein injection (intravenous) that can introduce different therapeutics into the circulatory system, leading to systemic delivery including the CNS 5. Widespread transduction of the CNS is achievable if an appropriate viral vector and viral serotype is utilized. Visualization and utilization of the temporal vein for injection is feasible up to postnatal day 6. However, if the delivered material is intended to reach the CNS, these injections should take place while the blood brain barrier is more permeable due to its immature status, preferably prior to postnatal day 2. The fully developed blood brain barrier greatly limits the effectiveness of intravenous delivery. Both delivery systems are simple and effective once the surgical aptitude is achieved. They do not require any extensive surgical devices and can be performed by a single person. However, these techniques are not without challenges. The small size of postnatal day 2 pups and the subsequent small target areas can make the injections difficult to perform and initially challenging to replicate.

Delivery of Therapeutic Agents Through Intracerebroventricular ICV and Intravenous IV Injection in Mice

This article demonstrates two very different methods of injection: 1) into the brain (intracerebroventricular) and 2) systemic (intravenous) to introduce the therapeutic agents into the central nervous system of neonatal mice.

Despite the protective role that blood brain barrier plays in shielding the brain, it limits the access to the central nervous system (CNS) which most ...

Experimental Protocol for Detecting Mitochondrial Function in Hepatocytes Exposed to Organochlorine Pesticides

This paper presents detailed methods on detecting hepatic mitochondrial function for a better understanding the cause of metabolic disorders caused by environmental organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in hepatocytes. HepG2 cells were exposed to &#946;-hexachlorocyclohexane (&#946;-HCH) for 24 h at an equivalent dose of internal exposure in general population. Ultrastructure in hepatocytes was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to show the damage of mitochondria. Mitochondrial function was further evaluated by mitochondrial fluorescence intensity, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) levels, oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in HepG2 cells incubated with &#946;-HCH. The mitochondria fluorescence intensity after stained by mitochondrial green fluorescent probe was observed with a fluorescence microscopy. The luciferin-luciferase reaction was used to determine ATP levels. The MMP was detected by the cationic dye JC-1 and analyzed under flow cytometry. OCR was measured with an extracellular flux analyzer. In summary, these protocols were used in detecting mitochondrial function in hepatocytes with to investigate mitochondria damages.

Understanding the influence of environmental organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on mitochondrial function in hepatocytes is important in exploring the mechanism of OCPs causing metabolic disorders. This paper presents detailed methods on detecting hepatic mitochondrial function.

This paper presents detailed methods on detecting hepatic mitochondrial function for a better understanding the cause of metabolic disorders caused by ...

Environment

Combinational Treatment of Trichostatin A and Vitamin C Improves the Efficiency of Cloning Mice by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) provides a unique opportunity to directly produce a cloned animal from a donor cell, and it requires the use of skillful techniques. Additionally, the efficiencies of cloning have remained low since the successful production of cloned animals, especially mice. There have been many attempts to improve the cloning efficiency, and trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been widely used to enhance the efficiency of cloning. Here, we report a dramatically improved cloning method in mice. This somatic cell nuclear transfer method involves usage of Hemagglutinating virus of Japan Envelope (HVJ-E), which enables easy manipulation. Moreover, the treatment using two small molecules, TSA and vitamin C (VC), with deionized bovine serum albumin (dBSA), is highly effective for embryonic development. This approach requires neither additional injection nor genetic manipulation, and thus presents a simple, suitable method for practical use. This method could become a technically feasible approach for researchers to produce genetically modified animals from cultured cells. Furthermore, it might be a useful way for the rescue of endangered animals via cloning.

We describe a dramatically improved method for mouse cloning using trichostatin A, vitamin C, and deionized bovine serum albumin. We show a simplified, reproducible protocol that supports efficient development of cloned embryos. Hence, this method could become a standardized procedure for mouse cloning.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) provides a unique opportunity to directly produce a cloned animal from a donor cell, and it requires the use of ...

Developmental Biology

Exploring Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism of Single 3D Microtissue Spheroids Using Extracellular Flux Analysis

Three-dimensional (3D) cellular aggregates, termed spheroids, have become the forefront of in vitro cell culture in recent years. In contrast to culturing cells as two-dimensional, single-cell monolayers (2D culture), spheroid cell culture promotes, regulates, and supports physiological cellular architecture and characteristics that exist in vivo, including the expression of extracellular matrix proteins, cell signaling, gene expression, protein production, differentiation, and proliferation. The importance of 3D culture has been recognized in many research fields, including oncology, diabetes, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering. Over the last decade, improved methods have been developed to produce spheroids and assess their metabolic function and fate.
Extracellular flux (XF) analyzers have been used to explore mitochondrial function in 3D microtissues such as spheroids using either an XF24 islet capture plate or an XFe96 spheroid microplate. However, distinct protocols and the optimization of probing mitochondrial energy metabolism in spheroids using XF technology have not been described in detail. This paper provides detailed protocols for probing mitochondrial energy metabolism in single 3D spheroids using spheroid microplates with the XFe96 XF analyzer. Using different cancer cell lines, XF technology is demonstrated to be capable of distinguishing between cellular respiration in 3D spheroids of not only different sizes but also different volumes, cell numbers,&#160;DNA content and type.
The optimal mitochondrial effector compound concentrations of oligomycin, BAM15, rotenone, and antimycin A are used to probe specific parameters of mitochondrial energy metabolism in 3D spheroids. This paper also discusses methods to normalize data obtained from spheroids and addresses many considerations that should be considered when exploring spheroid metabolism using XF technology. This protocol will help drive research in advanced in vitro spheroid models.

These protocols will help users probe mitochondrial energy metabolism in 3D cancer cell-line-derived spheroids using Seahorse extracellular flux analysis.

Three-dimensional (3D) cellular aggregates, termed spheroids, have become the forefront of in vitro cell culture in recent years. In contrast to culturing ...

Cancer Research

Reducing Research Animal Stress with Micropipette-Guided Drug Administration

Use of Micropipette-Guided Drug Administration as an Alternative Method to Oral Gavage in Rodent Models

Oral gavage (OG) with the use of a cannula attached to a syringe is one of the most common methods used to deliver precise dosing of compounds to the stomach of research animals. Unfortunately, this method comes with difficulties for both the operator and the research animal. Studies have shown that OG may lead to complications, including esophagitis, perforation of the esophagus, and inadvertent tracheal drug administration. In addition, OG is associated with increased plasma and fecal corticosterone levels (due to stress), altered blood pressure, and increased heart rate, which could negatively influence or bias study results. A previously developed alternative method termed micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) incentivizes the animal to consume treatments readily in a minimally invasive manner. Herein, we present examples of the use of the MDA technique with treatments reconstituted in different vehicles and demonstrate effective delivery of the varied treatments to multiple different mouse strains. We further demonstrate that MDA is a technique that decreases the timing and invasiveness of drug administration and does not affect the gut microbiome composition as assessed by quantitative analysis of core gut microbial species. Overall, MDA may offer a less stressful and effective alternative to OG.

Here, we describe micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) as an alternative method to oral gavage that incentivizes the research animal to ingest treatments readily with minimal stress and discomfort.

Oral gavage (OG) with the use of a cannula attached to a syringe is one of the most common methods used to deliver precise dosing of compounds to the ...

Mitochondrial Transfer from Mouse Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Aged Mouse Oocytes

Due to the decline in the quantity and quality of oocytes related to age, the fertility of women over 35 years of age has declined sharply. The molecular mechanisms that maintain oocyte quality remain unclear, thus it is difficult to increase the birth rate of women over 35 years old at present. Oocytes contain more mitochondria than any type of cell in the body, and any mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to reduced oocyte quality. In the 1990s, oocyte cytoplasmic transfer resulted in great success in human reproduction but was accompanied by ethical controversies. Autologous mitochondrial transplantation is expected to be a useful technique to increase the quality of oocytes that have decreased due to age. In the present study, we used adipose-derived stem cells from aged mice as a mitochondria donor to increase the quality of oocytes of aged mice. Further development of autologous mitochondrial transfer technology will provide a new and effective treatment for infertility in aged women.

Here, we describe the isolation of mitochondria from mouse adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and then transfer the mitochondria into aged mouse oocytes to improve the quality of the oocytes.

Due to the decline in the quantity and quality of oocytes related to age, the fertility of women over 35 years of age has declined sharply. The molecular ...

Imaging Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake in Astrocytes and Neurons using Genetically Encoded Ca2+ Indicators (GECIs)

Mitochondrial Ca2+ plays a critical role in controlling cytosolic Ca2+ buffering, energy metabolism, and cellular signal transduction. Overloading of mitochondrial Ca2+ contributes to various pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration and apoptotic cell death in neurological diseases. Here we present a cell-type specific and mitochondria targeting molecular approach for mitochondrial Ca2+ imaging in astrocytes and neurons in vitro and in vivo. We constructed DNA plasmids encoding mitochondria-targeting genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) GCaMP5G or GCaMP6s (GCaMP5G/6s) with astrocyte- and neuron-specific promoters gfaABC1D and CaMKII and mitochondria-targeting sequence (mito-). For in vitro mitochondrial Ca2+ imaging, the plasmids were transfected in cultured astrocytes and neurons to express GCaMP5G/6s. For in vivo mitochondrial Ca2+ imaging, adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) were prepared and injected into the mouse brains to express GCaMP5G/6s in mitochondria in astrocytes and neurons. Our approach provides a useful means to image mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics in astrocytes and neurons to study the relationship between cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling, as well as astrocyte-neuron interactions.

Imaging Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uptake in Astrocytes and Neurons using Genetically Encoded Ca2+ Indicators GECIs

This proctocol aims to provide a method for in vitro and in vivo mitochondrial Ca2+ imaging in astrocytes and neurons.

Mitochondrial Ca2+ plays a critical role in controlling cytosolic Ca2+ buffering, energy metabolism, and cellular signal transduction. Overloading of ...

Neuroscience

Isolation and Functional Analysis of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells and Mouse Tissue

Comparison between two or more distinct groups, such as healthy vs. disease, is necessary to determine cellular status. Mitochondria are at the nexus of cell heath due to their role in both cell metabolism and energy production as well as control of apoptosis. Therefore, direct evaluation of isolated mitochondria and mitochondrial perturbation offers the ability to determine if organelle-specific (dys)function is occurring. The methods described in this protocol include isolation of intact, functional mitochondria from HEK cultured cells and mouse liver and spinal cord, but can be easily adapted for use with other cultured cells or animal tissues. Mitochondrial function assessed by TMRE and the use of common mitochondrial uncouplers and inhibitors in conjunction with a fluorescent plate reader allow this protocol not only to be versatile and accessible to most research laboratories, but also offers high throughput.

Comparison of mitochondrial membrane potential between samples yields valuable information about cellular status. Detailed steps for isolating mitochondria and assessing response to inhibitors and uncouplers using fluorescence are described. The method and utility of this protocol are illustrated by use of a cell culture and animal model of cellular stress.

Comparison between two or more distinct groups, such as healthy vs. disease, is necessary to determine cellular status. Mitochondria are at the nexus of ...

Near Infrared (NIr) Light Increases Expression of a Marker of Mitochondrial Function in the Mouse Vestibular Sensory Epithelium

Strategies for attenuating decline in balance function with increasing age are predominantly focused on physical therapies including balance tasks and exercise. However, these approaches do not address the underlying causes of balance decline. Using mice, the impact of near infrared light (NIr) on the metabolism of cells in the vestibular sensory epithelium was assessed. Data collected shows that this simple and safe intervention may protect these vulnerable cells from the deleterious effects of natural aging. mRNA was extracted from the isolated peripheral vestibular sensory epithelium (crista ampullaris and utricular macula) and subsequently transcribed into a cDNA library. This library was then probed for the expression of ubiquitous antioxidant (SOD-1). Antioxidant gene expression was then used to quantify cellular metabolism. Using transcranial delivery of NIr in young (4 weeks) and older (8 - 9 months) mice, and a brief treatment regime (90 sec/day for 5 days), this work suggests NIr alone may be sufficient to improve mitochondrial function in the vestibular sensory epithelium. Since there are currently no available, affordable, non-invasive methods of therapy to improve vestibular hair cell function, the application of external NIr radiation provides a potential strategy to counteract the impact of aging on cellular metabolism inthe vestibular sensory epithelium.

Near Infrared NIr Light Increases Expression of a Marker of Mitochondrial Function in the Mouse Vestibular Sensory Epithelium

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of cellular senescence. This paper uses non-invasive near-infrared (NIr) treatment to improve mitochondrial function in the aging mouse vestibular sensory epithelium.

Strategies for attenuating decline in balance function with increasing age are predominantly focused on physical therapies including balance tasks and ...

A Screenable In Vivo Assay for Mitochondrial Modulators Using Transgenic Bioluminescent Caenorhabditis elegans

The multicellular model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is a small nematode of approximately 1 mm in size in adulthood that is genetically and experimentally tractable. It is economical and easy to culture and dispense in liquid medium which makes it well suited for medium-throughput screening. We have previously validated the use of transgenic luciferase expressing C. elegans strains to provide rapid in vivo assessment of the nematode&#8217;s ATP levels.1-3 Here we present the required materials and procedure to carry out bioassays with the bioluminescent C. elegans strains PE254 or PE255 (or any of their derivative strains). The protocol allows for in vivo detection of sublethal effects of drugs that may identify mitochondrial toxicity, as well as for in vivo detection of potential beneficial drug effects. Representative results are provided for the chemicals paraquat, rotenone, oxaloacetate and for four firefly luciferase inhibitory compounds. The methodology can be scaled up to provide a platform for screening drug libraries for compounds capable of modulating mitochondrial function. Pre-clinical evaluation of drug toxicity is often carried out on immortalized cancerous human cell lines which derive ATP mostly from glycolysis and are often tolerant of mitochondrial toxicants.4,5 In contrast, C. elegans depends on oxidative phosphorylation to sustain development into adulthood, drawing a parallel with humans and providing a unique opportunity for compound evaluation in the physiological context of a whole live multicellular organism.

A Screenable In Vivo Assay for Mitochondrial Modulators Using Transgenic Bioluminescent Caenorhabditis elegans

A protocol is described for in vivo detection of effects of mitochondrial inhibitors in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans and for identification of potential enhancing compounds. This protocol can be used to screen drug libraries for compounds modulating mitochondrial function.

Treating SCA1 Mice with Water-Soluble Compounds to Non-Specifically Boost Mitochondrial Function

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Chapters in this video

Delivery of Therapeutic Agents Through Intracerebroventricular (ICV) and Intravenous (IV) Injection in Mice

Experimental Protocol for Detecting Mitochondrial Function in Hepatocytes Exposed to Organochlorine Pesticides

Combinational Treatment of Trichostatin A and Vitamin C Improves the Efficiency of Cloning Mice by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Exploring Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism of Single 3D Microtissue Spheroids Using Extracellular Flux Analysis

Use of Micropipette-Guided Drug Administration as an Alternative Method to Oral Gavage in Rodent Models

Mitochondrial Transfer from Mouse Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Aged Mouse Oocytes

Imaging Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ Uptake in Astrocytes and Neurons using Genetically Encoded Ca²⁺ Indicators (GECIs)

Isolation and Functional Analysis of Mitochondria from Cultured Cells and Mouse Tissue

Near Infrared (NIr) Light Increases Expression of a Marker of Mitochondrial Function in the Mouse Vestibular Sensory Epithelium

A Screenable In Vivo Assay for Mitochondrial Modulators Using Transgenic Bioluminescent Caenorhabditis elegans