Mitochondrial and nonmitochondrial reduction of MTT: Interaction of MTT with TMRE, JC‐1, and NAO mitochondrial fluorescent probes

Abstract

(1) Most of MTT-formazan deposits are not coincident with mitochondria. (2) Monomeric JC-1, as well as TMRE and NAO, accumulating in mitochondria may be displaced by MTT. Thus, the presence of positively charged organic compounds (like MTT) may distort measurements of mitochondrial transmembrane electric potential, which are based on accumulation of fluorescent dyes.