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Preparation of “Functional” Mitochondria: A Challenging Business

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Mitochondrial Medicine

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2276))

Abstract

As the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria, plays a crucial role in many aspects of life, whereby mitochondrial dysfunctions are associated with pathogenesis of many diseases, like neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, cancer, and metabolic as well as cardiovascular disorders. Mitochondria analysis frequently starts with isolation and enrichment procedures, which have become increasingly important in biomedical research. Unfortunately, isolation procedures can easily cause changes in the structural integrity of mitochondria during in vitro handling having impact on their function. This carries the risk that conclusions about isolated mitochondria may be drawn on the basis of experimental artifacts. Here we critically review a commonly used isolation procedure for mitochondria utilizing differential (gradient) centrifugation and depict major challenges to achieve “functional” mitochondria as basis for comprehensive physiological studies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center at the Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Duesseldorf, Germany

    Stefan Lehr, Sonja Hartwig & Jorg Kotzka

  2. German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany

    Stefan Lehr, Sonja Hartwig & Jorg Kotzka

Authors
  1. Stefan Lehr
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  2. Sonja Hartwig
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  3. Jorg Kotzka
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan Lehr .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ, USA

    Volkmar Weissig

  2. Cochin Hospital, Cochin Institute, INSERM U1016, PARIS, France

    Marvin Edeas

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Lehr, S., Hartwig, S., Kotzka, J. (2021). Preparation of “Functional” Mitochondria: A Challenging Business. In: Weissig, V., Edeas, M. (eds) Mitochondrial Medicine . Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2276. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1266-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1266-8_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-1265-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-1266-8

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