JC-1 Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Detection Kit is used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential changes in cells, a key indicator of cell viability.

The loss of mitochondrial membrane potential is a hallmark for apoptosis. It is an early event preceding phosphatidylserine externalization and coinciding with caspase activation.  In non-apoptotic cells, JC-1 accumulates as aggregates in the mitochondrial membranes, resulting in red fluorescence. The brightness of red fluorescence is proportional to the potential and varies among different cell types. However, in apoptotic and necrotic cells, which have diminished mitochondrial membrane potential, JC-1 exists in the green fluorescent monomeric form. This kit provides a step-by-step protocol and ready-to-use reagents for performing assays for flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, or fluorescence microplate reader.

Biotium also offers Aquaphile™ JC-1, an improved and more soluble formulation of the JC-1 dye which minimizes false positive J-aggregate signal outside of cells. Biotium also sells JC-1 chloride salt and JC-1 iodide salt.