Shedding light on mitochondrial outer-membrane permeabilization and membrane potential: State of the art methods and biosensors

Membrane structural integrity is essential for optimal mitochondrial function. These organelles produce the energy needed for all vital processes, provided their outer and inner membranes are intact. This prevents the release of mitochondrial apoptogenic factors into the cytosol and ensures intact mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m) to sustain ATP production. Cell death by apoptosis is generally triggered by outer mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MOMP), tightly coupled with loss of ΔΨ _m. As these two processes are essential for both mitochondrial function and cell death, researchers have devised various techniques to assess them. Here, we discuss current methods and biosensors available for detecting MOMP and measuring ΔΨ _m, focusing on their advantages and limitations and discuss what new imaging tools are needed to improve our knowledge of mitochondrial function.