Electrochemistry of mitochondria: A new way to understand their structure and function

Abstract

In this article, electrochemistry of mitochondria is achieved. Cyclic voltammograms of freshly prepared mitochondria were obtained by immobilizing mitochondria together with glutaraldehyde and bovine serum albumin on the surface of a pyrolytic graphite electrode. Two pairs of redox peaks could be observed which were ascribed to the electron transfer reactions of cytochrome c and FAD/FADH2. Study of submitochondrial particles was also conducted, which could confirm the results of the study of the entire mitochondria. The redox wave of NADH could be obtained due to the destruction of the membrane of mitochondria. We have also checked the function of succinate in mitochondria by employing the electrochemical method. This work is not only the first to be able to obtain the direct electrochemistry of mitochondria, but is also beneficial to the further understanding of the structure and function of mitochondria in vitro. © 2008 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.