Mitochondrial metabolism is the set of energy-producing reactions in mitochondria, and it is studied in vitro with respiration and energy-production assays in cell models. This guide explains the main methods.
What mitochondria do
Mitochondria are the structures inside cells that carry out the bulk of energy production, converting nutrients and oxygen into usable cellular energy through a chain of reactions.
Measuring respiration
A common method measures the rate at which cultured cells consume oxygen, which reflects how actively their mitochondria are producing energy under the conditions studied.
Other metabolic readouts
Researchers also measure energy-carrier molecules and redox cofactors, such as the NAD+/NADH ratio, which reflect the metabolic state of the cell. Signaling readouts such as AMPK phosphorylation and AICAR levels are a further example, laid out in AMPK and folate-cycle assays for MOTS-c in vitro.
Interpreting the data
Readouts are compared within a single experiment against controls, because absolute values depend on cell type and conditions.
Related research guides
- Metabolic compounds (overview)
- MOTS-c quick-reference profile
- Metabolic enzyme assays
- SS-31 (mitochondria-targeting)
Research-use note
All compounds referenced are supplied for in vitro laboratory research use only. They are not for human or animal use.
Related research: SS-31.
