Flicker-assisted localization microscopy reveals altered mitochondrial architecture in hypertension

Chalmers, Susan; Saunter, Christopher D.; Girkin, John M.; McCarron, John G.

Abstract

Mitochondrial morphology is central to normal physiology and disease development. However, in many live cells and tissues, complex mitochondrial structures exist and morphology has been difficult to quantify. We have measured the shape of electrically-discrete mitochondria, imaging them individually to restore detail hidden in clusters and demarcate functional boundaries. Stochastic “flickers” of mitochondrial membrane potential were visualized with a rapidly-partitioning fluorophore and the pixel-by-pixel covariance of spatio-temporal fluorescence changes analyzed. This Flicker-assisted Localization Microscopy (FaLM) requires only an epifluorescence microscope and sensitive camera. In vascular myocytes, the apparent variation in mitochondrial size was partly explained by densely-packed small mitochondria. In normotensive animals, mitochondria were small spheres or rods. In hypertension, mitochondria were larger, occupied more of the cell volume and were more densely clustered. FaLM provides a convenient tool for increased discrimination of mitochondrial architecture and has revealed mitochondrial alterations that may contribute to hypertension.

Citation

Chalmers, S., Saunter, C. D., Girkin, J. M., & McCarron, J. G. (2015). Flicker-assisted localization microscopy reveals altered mitochondrial architecture in hypertension. Scientific Reports, 5, Article 16875. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep16875

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 21, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Nov 23, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 23, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 18, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 18, 2016
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Article Number: 16875
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep16875
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1416407