Mitochondria Dyes or Probes, JC-1 (CBIC2)

JC-1 (CBIC2) is an ideal and widely used fluorescent probe for detecting mitochondrial membrane potential. It accumulates in mitochondria in a potential-dependent manner, allowing for the assessment of membrane potential in cells, tissues, or purified mitochondria. In normal mitochondria, JC-1 aggregates in the mitochondrial matrix, forming a polymer that emits strong red fluorescence. Conversely, when the mitochondrial membrane potential is low, JC-1 fails to aggregate in the matrix, resulting in green fluorescence.