Multi-color live-cell STED nanoscopy of mitochondria with a gentle inner membrane stain

Enhanced mitochondrial fluorescence imaging through confinement fluorescence effect within a rigid silicon suboxide network

Fluorescence imaging technology has emerged as a powerful tool for studying intricate mitochondrial morphology within living cells. However, the need for fluorophores with stable fluorescence intensity and low phototoxicity poses significant challenges, particularly for long-term live-cell mitochondrial monitoring. To address this, we introduce the confinement fluorescence effect (CFE) into the design of fluorophores. This strategy involves confining small-molecule fluorophores within a silicon suboxide network structure of nanoparticles (CEF-NPs), which restricts molecular rotation, resulting in the suppression of non-radiative transition and the isolation of encapsulated fluorophores from surrounding quenching factors. CFE-NPs (SY2@SiOx) exhibit exceptional properties, such as high fluorescence intensity (80-fold) and reduced phototoxicity (0.15-fold). Furthermore, the TPP + -functionalized CFE-NPs (SY2@SiOxTPP) demonstrated efficacy in mitochondrial imaging and mitochondrial dynamics monitoring. Biochemistry assays indicated that SY2@SiOxTPP exhibits significantly lower phototoxicity to mitochondrial functions compared to both small-molecule fluorophore and commercial Mito Tracker. This approach allows for the long-term dynamic monitoring of mitochondrial morphological changes through fluorescence imaging, without impairing mitochondrial functionality.

OCIAD1 and prohibitins regulate the stability of the TIM23 protein translocase

Mitochondrial proteins are transported and sorted to the matrix or inner mitochondrial membrane by the presequence translocase TIM23. In yeast, this essential and highly conserved machinery is composed of the core subunits Tim23 and Tim17. The architecture, assembly, and regulation of the human TIM23 complex are poorly characterized. The human genome encodes two paralogs, TIMM17A and TIMM17B. Here, we describe an unexpected role of the ovarian cancer immunoreactive antigen domain-containing protein 1 (OCIAD1) and the prohibitin complex in the biogenesis of human TIM23. Prohibitins were required to stabilize both the TIMM17A- and TIMM17B-containing variants of the translocase. Interestingly, OCIAD1 assembled with the prohibitin complex to protect the TIMM17A variant from degradation by the YME1L protease. The expression of OCIAD1 was in turn regulated by the status of the TIM23 complex. We postulate that OCIAD1 together with prohibitins constitute a regulatory axis that differentially regulates variants of human TIM23.

Frontiers in fluorescence imaging: tools for the in situ sensing of disease biomarkers

Fluorescence imaging has been recognized as a powerful tool for the real-time detection and specific imaging of biomarkers within living systems, which is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment evaluation of major diseases. Over the years, significant advancements in this field have been achieved, particularly with the development of novel fluorescent probes and advanced imaging technologies such as NIR-II imaging, super-resolution imaging, and 3D imaging. These technologies have enabled deeper tissue penetration, higher image contrast, and more accurate detection of disease-related biomarkers. Despite these advancements, challenges such as improving probe specificity, enhancing imaging depth and resolution, and optimizing signal-to-noise ratios still remain. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has injected new vitality into the designs and performances of fluorescent probes, offering new tools for more precise disease diagnosis. This review will not only discuss chemical modifications of classic fluorophores and in situ visualization of various biomarkers including metal ions, reactive species, and enzymes, but also share some breakthroughs in AI-driven fluorescence imaging, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of these advancements. Future prospects of fluorescence imaging for biomarkers including the potential impact of AI in this rapidly evolving field are also highlighted.

Stimulated Emission Depletion Imaging Reveals Mitochondrial Phenotypic Heterogeneity under Apoptosis Stimuli across Living Glioma Models

The mitochondrial phenotypes contribute to the understanding of disease mechanisms and treatments, which are typically characterized through the omics methods. However, the high dynamics and phenotypic heterogeneity of mitochondria require high-resolution characterization within individual living cells. Therefore, we introduce a fluorescence analysis method, based on two-color and fluorescence lifetime stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution imaging, to explore mitochondrial phenotypic heterogeneity in human (U87) and mouse (GL261) glioma models. Furthermore, we used rotenone and etoposide to simulate the effects of antitumor drugs, inducing apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction, respectively. The two-color labeling introduces intracellular parameters to qualitatively visualize changes in mitochondrial morphology, while fluorescence lifetime reflects the status of mitochondria and their microenvironment from the perspective of probe characteristics. This method reveals mitochondria phenotypic heterogeneity induced by the apoptotic stimuli in human and mouse glioma models from a morphological perspective.

Mitochondrial STED Imaging and Membrane Potential Monitoring with a Cationic Molecular Probe

Mitochondria are essential organelles that not only undergo dynamic morphological changes but also exhibit functional activities such as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). While super-resolution techniques such as stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy can visualize the ultrastructure of mitochondria and the MMP probe can monitor mitochondria function, few dyes meet both demands. Here, a small molecule (MitoPDI-90) based on perylene diimide with cationic groups is reported and used for mitochondrial STED imaging and MMP indication. Characterized by excellent photostability, biocompatibility, and high quantum yield, MitoPDI-90 exhibits STED imaging compatibility, facilitating visualization of mitochondrial cristae and time-lapse imaging of highly dynamic mitochondria in living cells. Besides, MitoPDI-90 targets the mitochondria through electrical potential, also enabling live-cell MMP monitoring. MitoPDI-90 allows for super-resolution visualization and time-lapse imaging of mitochondria, and more importantly, indication of changes in MMP, providing insight into the functional activity of live-cell mitochondria.

Gentle Rhodamines for Live-Cell Fluorescence Microscopy

Rhodamines have been continuously optimized in brightness, biocompatibility, and color to fulfill the demands of modern bioimaging. However, the problem of phototoxicity caused by the excited fluorophore under long-term illumination has been largely neglected, hampering their use in time-lapse imaging. Here we introduce cyclooctatetraene (COT) conjugated rhodamines that span the visible spectrum and exhibit significantly reduced phototoxicity. We identified a general strategy for the generation of Gentle Rhodamines, which preserved their outstanding spectroscopic properties and cell permeability while showing an efficient reduction of singlet-oxygen formation and diminished cellular photodamage. Paradoxically, their photobleaching kinetics do not go hand in hand with reduced phototoxicity. By combining COT-conjugated spirocyclization motifs with targeting moieties, these Gentle Rhodamines compose a toolkit for time-lapse imaging of mitochondria, DNA, and actin, and synergize with covalent and exchangeable HaloTag labeling of cellular proteins with less photodamage than their commonly used precursors. Taken together, the Gentle Rhodamines generally offer alleviated phototoxicity and allow advanced video recording applications, including voltage imaging.

Imaging interorganelle contacts at a glance

Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized into membrane-bound organelles that must coordinate their responses to stimuli. One way that organelles communicate is via membrane contact sites (MCSs), sites of close apposition between organelles used for the exchange of ions, lipids and information. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we describe an explosion of new methods that have led to exciting progress in this area and discuss key examples of how these methods have advanced our understanding of MCSs. We discuss how diffraction-limited and super-resolution fluorescence imaging approaches have provided important insight into the biology of interorganelle communication. We also describe how the development of multiple proximity-based methods has enabled the detection of MCSs with high accuracy and precision. Finally, we assess how recent advances in electron microscopy (EM), considered the gold standard for detecting MCSs, have allowed the visualization of MCSs and associated proteins in 3D at ever greater resolution.

Mitochondrial Structure, Dynamics, and Physiology: Light Microscopy to Disentangle the Network

Mitochondria serve as energetic and signaling hubs of the cell: This function results from the complex interplay between their structure, function, dynamics, interactions, and molecular organization. The ability to observe and quantify these properties often represents the puzzle piece critical for deciphering the mechanisms behind mitochondrial function and dysfunction. Fluorescence microscopy addresses this critical need and has become increasingly powerful with the advent of superresolution methods and context-sensitive fluorescent probes. In this review, we delve into advanced light microscopy methods and analyses for studying mitochondrial ultrastructure, dynamics, and physiology, and highlight notable discoveries they enabled.

Self-inspired learning for denoising live-cell super-resolution microscopy

Every collected photon is precious in live-cell super-resolution (SR) microscopy. Here, we describe a data-efficient, deep learning-based denoising solution to improve diverse SR imaging modalities. The method, SN2N, is a Self-inspired Noise2Noise module with self-supervised data generation and self-constrained learning process. SN2N is fully competitive with supervised learning methods and circumvents the need for large training set and clean ground truth, requiring only a single noisy frame for training. We show that SN2N improves photon efficiency by one-to-two orders of magnitude and is compatible with multiple imaging modalities for volumetric, multicolor, time-lapse SR microscopy. We further integrated SN2N into different SR reconstruction algorithms to effectively mitigate image artifacts. We anticipate SN2N will enable improved live-SR imaging and inspire further advances.

Mitochondria facilitate neuronal differentiation by metabolising nuclear-encoded RNA

Mitochondrial activity directs neuronal differentiation dynamics during brain development. In this context, the long-established metabolic coupling of mitochondria and the eukaryotic host falls short of a satisfactory mechanistic explanation, hinting at an undisclosed facet of mitochondrial function. Here, we reveal an RNA-based inter-organellar communication mode that complements metabolic coupling of host-mitochondria and underpins neuronal differentiation. We show that within minutes of exposure to differentiation cues and activation of the electron transport chain, the mitochondrial outer membrane transiently fuses with the nuclear membrane of neural progenitors, leading to efflux of nuclear-encoded RNAs (neRNA) into the positively charged mitochondrial intermembrane space. Subsequent degradation of mitochondrial neRNAs by Polynucleotide phosphorylase 1 (PNPase) located in the intermembrane space curbs the transcriptomic memory of progenitor cells. Further, acquisition of neRNA by mitochondria leads to a collapse of proton motive force, suppression of ATP production, and a resultant amplification of autophagic flux that attenuates proteomic memory. Collectively, these events force the progenitor cells towards a "tipping point" characterised by emergence of a competing neuronal differentiation program. It appears that neuronal differentiation is a consequence of reprogrammed coupling of metabolomic and transcriptomic landscapes of progenitor cells, with mitochondria emerging as key "reprogrammers" that operate by acquiring and metabolising neRNAs. However, the documented role of mitochondria as "reprogrammers" of differentiation remains to be validated in other neuronal lineages and in vivo.

Visualizing mitochondrial dynamics at the nanoscale

The study of mitochondria is a formidable challenge for super-resolution microscopy due to their dynamic nature and complex membrane architecture. In this issue, Ren et al. introduce HBmito Crimson, a fluorogenic and photostable mitochondrial probe for STED microscopy and investigate how mitochondrial dynamics influence the spatial organization of mitochondrial DNA.

Triphenylphosphine-bonded coumaranone dyes realize dual color imaging of mitochondria and nucleoli

Probing intracellular organelles with fluorescent dyes offers opportunities to understand the structures and functions of these cellular compartments, which is attracting increasing interests. Normally, the design principle varies for different organelle targets as they possess distinct structural and functional profiles against each other. Therefore, developing a probe with dual intracellular targets is of great challenge. In this work, a new sort of donor-π-bridge-acceptor (D-π-A) type coumaranone dyes (CMO-1/2/3/4) have been prepared. Four fluorescent probes (TPP@CMO-1/2/3/4) were then synthesized by linking these coumaranone dyes with an amphiphilic cation triphenylphosphonium (TPP). Interestingly, both TPP@CMO-1 and TPP@CMO-2 exhibited dual color emission upon targeting to two different organelles, respectively. The green emission is well localized in mitochondria, while, the red emission realizes nucleoli imaging. RNA is the target of TPP@CMOs, which was confirmed by spectroscopic analysis and computational calculation. More importantly, the number and morphology changes of nucleoli under drug stress have been successfully evaluated using TPP@CMO-1.

A single bout of resistance exercise triggers mitophagy, potentially involving the ejection of mitochondria in human skeletal muscle

AIM

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a single bout of resistance exercise on mitophagy in human skeletal muscle (SkM).

METHODS

Eight healthy men were recruited to complete an acute bout of one-leg resistance exercise. SkM biopsies were obtained one hour after exercise in the resting leg (Rest-leg) and the contracting leg (Ex-leg). Mitophagy was assessed using protein-related abundance, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS

Our results show that acute resistance exercise increased pro-fission protein phosphorylation (DRP1Ser616) and decreased mitophagy markers such as PARKIN and BNIP3L/NIX protein abundance in the Ex-leg. Additionally, mitochondrial complex IV decreased in the Ex-leg when compared to the Rest-leg. In the Ex-leg, TEM and immunofluorescence images showed mitochondrial cristae abnormalities, a mitochondrial fission phenotype, and increased mitophagosome-like structures in both subsarcolemmal and intermyofibrillar mitochondria. We also observed increased mitophagosome-like structures on the subsarcolemmal cleft and mitochondria in the extracellular space of SkM in the Ex-leg. We stimulated human primary myotubes with CCCP, which mimics mitophagy induction in the Ex-leg, and found that BNIP3L/NIX protein abundance decreased independently of lysosomal degradation. Finally, in another human cohort, we found a negative association between BNIP3L/NIX protein abundance with both mitophagosome-like structures and mitochondrial cristae density in the SkM.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that a single bout of resistance exercise can initiate mitophagy, potentially involving mitochondrial ejection, in human skeletal muscle. BNIP3L/NIX is proposed as a sensitive marker for assessing mitophagy flux in SkM.

Steroid-free combination of 5-azacytidine and venetoclax for the treatment of multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy that, despite an unprecedented increase in overall survival, lacks truly risk-adapted or targeted treatments. A proportion of patients with MM depend on BCL-2 for survival, and, recently, the BCL-2 antagonist venetoclax has shown clinical efficacy and safety in t(11;14) and BCL-2 overexpressing MM. However, only a small proportion of MM patients rely on BCL-2 (approx. 20%), and there is a need to broaden the patient population outside of t(11;14) that can be treated with venetoclax. Therefore, we took an unbiased screening approach and screened epigenetic modifiers to enhance venetoclax sensitivity in 2 non-BCL-2 dependent MM cell lines. The demethylase inhibitor 5-azacytidine was one of the lead hits from the screen, and the enhanced cell killing of the combination was confirmed in additional MM cell lines. Using dynamic BH3 profiling and immunoprecipitations, we identified the potential mechanism of synergy is due to increased NOXA expression, through the integrated stress response. Knockdown of PMAIP1 or PKR partially rescues cell death of the venetoclax and 5-azacytidine combination treatment. The addition of a steroid to the combination treatment did not enhance the cell death, and, interestingly, we found enhanced death of the immune cells with steroid addition, suggesting that a steroid-sparing regimen may be more beneficial in MM. Lastly, we show for the first time in primary MM patient samples that 5-azacytidine enhances the response to venetoclax ex vivo across diverse anti-apoptotic dependencies (BCL-2 or MCL-1) and diverse cytogenetic backgrounds. Overall, our data identify 5-azacytidine and venetoclax as an effective treatment combination, which could be a tolerable steroid-sparing regimen, particularly for elderly MM patients.

Opa1 processing is dispensable in mouse development but is protective in mitochondrial cardiomyopathy

Mitochondrial fusion and fission accompany adaptive responses to stress and altered metabolic demands. Inner membrane fusion and cristae morphogenesis depends on optic atrophy 1 (Opa1), which is expressed in different isoforms and is cleaved from a membrane-bound, long to a soluble, short form. Here, we have analyzed the physiological role of Opa1 isoforms and Opa1 processing by generating mouse lines expressing only one cleavable Opa1 isoform or a non-cleavable variant thereof. Our results show that expression of a single cleavable or non-cleavable Opa1 isoform preserves embryonic development and the health of adult mice. Opa1 processing is dispensable under metabolic and thermal stress but prolongs life span and protects against mitochondrial cardiomyopathy in OXPHOS-deficient Cox10-/- mice. Mechanistically, loss of Opa1 processing disturbs the balance between mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy, suppressing cardiac hypertrophic growth in Cox10-/- hearts. Our results highlight the critical regulatory role of Opa1 processing, mitochondrial dynamics, and metabolism for cardiac hypertrophy.

In vivo deposition of poorly soluble drugs

Administered drug molecules, whether dissolved or solubilized, have the potential to precipitate and accumulate as solid forms in tissues and cells within the body. This phase transition can significantly impact the pharmacokinetics of treatment. It is thus crucial to gain an understanding of how drug solubility/permeability, drug formulations and routes of administration affect in vivo behaviors of drug deposition. This review examines literature reports on the drug deposition in tissues and cells of poorly water-soluble drugs, as well as underlying physical mechanisms that lead to precipitation. Our work particularly highlights drug deposition in macrophages and the subcellular fate of precipitated drugs. We also propose a tissue permeability-based classification framework to evaluate precipitation potentials of poorly soluble drugs in major organs and tissues. The impact on pharmacokinetics is further discussed and needs to be considered in developing drug delivery systems. Finally, bioimaging techniques that are used to examine aggregated states and the intracellular trafficking of absorbed drugs are summarized.

Fluorescence Lifetime Super-Resolution Imaging Unveil the Dynamic Relationship between Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Cristae Structure Using the Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Strategy

Mitochondrial cristae, invaginations of the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) into the matrix, are the main site for the generation of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Synchronous study of the dynamic relationship between cristae and MMP is very important for further understanding of mitochondrial function. Due to the lack of suitable IMM probes and imaging techniques, the dynamic relationship between MMP and cristae structure alterations remains poorly understood. We designed a pair of FRET-based molecular probes, with the donor (OR-LA) being rhodamine modified with mitochondrial coenzyme lipoic acid and the acceptor (SiR-BA) being silicon-rhodamine modified with a butyl chain, for simultaneous dynamic monitoring of mitochondrial cristae structure and MMP. The FRET process of the molecular pair in mitochondria is regulated by MMP, enabling more precise visualization of MMP through fluorescence intensity ratio and fluorescence lifetime. By combining FRET with FLIM super-resolution imaging technology, we achieved simultaneous dynamic monitoring of mitochondrial cristae structure and MMP, revealing that during the decline of MMP, there is a progression involving cristae dilation, fragmentation, mitochondrial vacuolization, and eventual rupture. Significantly, we successfully observed that the rapid decrease in MMP at the site of mitochondrial membrane rupture may be a critical factor in mitochondrial fragmentation. These data collectively reveal the dynamic relationship between cristae structural alterations and MMP decline, laying a foundation for further investigation into cellular energy regulation mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for mitochondria-related diseases.

Approaching Maximum Resolution in Structured Illumination Microscopy via Accurate Noise Modeling

Biological images captured by microscopes are characterized by heterogeneous signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) due to spatially varying photon emission across the field of view convoluted with camera noise. State-of-the-art unsupervised structured illumination microscopy (SIM) reconstruction algorithms, commonly implemented in the Fourier domain, do not accurately model this noise and suffer from high-frequency artifacts, user-dependent choices of smoothness constraints making assumptions on biological features, and unphysical negative values in the recovered fluorescence intensity map. On the other hand, supervised methods rely on large datasets for training, and often require retraining for new sample structures. Consequently, achieving high contrast near the maximum theoretical resolution in an unsupervised, physically principled, manner remains an open problem. Here, we propose Bayesian-SIM (B-SIM), an unsupervised Bayesian framework to quantitatively reconstruct SIM data, rectifying these shortcomings by accurately incorporating known noise sources in the spatial domain. To accelerate the reconstruction process, we use the finite extent of the point-spread-function to devise a parallelized Monte Carlo strategy involving chunking and restitching of the inferred fluorescence intensity. We benchmark our framework on both simulated and experimental images, and demonstrate improved contrast permitting feature recovery at up to 25% shorter length scales over state-of-the-art methods at both high- and low-SNR. B-SIM enables unsupervised, quantitative, physically accurate reconstruction without the need for labeled training data, democratizing high-quality SIM reconstruction and expands the capabilities of live-cell SIM to lower SNR, potentially revealing biological features in previously inaccessible regimes.

Mitochondrial Dynamics at Different Levels: From Cristae Dynamics to Interorganellar Cross Talk

Mitochondria are essential organelles performing important cellular functions ranging from bioenergetics and metabolism to apoptotic signaling and immune responses. They are highly dynamic at different structural and functional levels. Mitochondria have been shown to constantly undergo fusion and fission processes and dynamically interact with other organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, and lipid droplets. The field of mitochondrial dynamics has evolved hand in hand with technological achievements including advanced fluorescence super-resolution nanoscopy. Dynamic remodeling of the cristae membrane within individual mitochondria, discovered very recently, opens up a further exciting layer of mitochondrial dynamics. In this review, we discuss mitochondrial dynamics at the following levels: (a) within an individual mitochondrion, (b) among mitochondria, and (c) between mitochondria and other organelles. Although the three tiers of mitochondrial dynamics have in the past been classified in a hierarchical manner, they are functionally connected and must act in a coordinated manner to maintain cellular functions and thus prevent various human diseases.

Reduced Protein Import via TIM23 SORT Drives Disease Pathology in TIMM50-Associated Mitochondrial Disease

TIMM50 is a core subunit of the TIM23 complex, the mitochondrial inner membrane translocase responsible for the import of pre-sequence-containing precursors into the mitochondrial matrix and inner membrane. Here we describe a mitochondrial disease patient who is homozygous for a novel variant in TIMM50 and establish the first proteomic map of mitochondrial disease associated with TIMM50 dysfunction. We demonstrate that TIMM50 pathogenic variants reduce the levels and activity of endogenous TIM23 complex, which significantly impacts the mitochondrial proteome, resulting in a combined oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) defect and changes to mitochondrial ultrastructure. Using proteomic data sets from TIMM50 patient fibroblasts and a TIMM50 HEK293 cell model of disease, we reveal that laterally released substrates imported via the TIM23SORT complex pathway are most sensitive to loss of TIMM50. Proteins involved in OXPHOS and mitochondrial ultrastructure are enriched in the TIM23SORT substrate pool, providing a biochemical mechanism for the specific defects in TIMM50-associated mitochondrial disease patients. These results highlight the power of using proteomics to elucidate molecular mechanisms of disease and uncovering novel features of fundamental biology, with the implication that human TIMM50 may have a more pronounced role in lateral insertion than previously understood.

Super-resolution microscopies, technological breakthrough to decipher mitochondrial structure and dynamic

Mitochondria are complex organelles with an outer membrane enveloping a second inner membrane that creates a vast matrix space partitioned by pockets or cristae that join the peripheral inner membrane with several thin junctions. Several micrometres long, mitochondria are generally close to 300 nm in diameter, with membrane layers separated by a few tens of nanometres. Ultrastructural data from electron microscopy revealed the structure of these mitochondria, while conventional optical microscopy revealed their extraordinary dynamics through fusion, fission, and migration processes but its limited resolution power restricted the possibility to go further. By overcoming the limits of light diffraction, Super-Resolution Microscopy (SRM) now offers the potential to establish the links between the ultrastructure and remodelling of mitochondrial membranes, leading to major advances in our understanding of mitochondria's structure-function. Here we review the contributions of SRM imaging to our understanding of the relationship between mitochondrial structure and function. What are the hopes for these new imaging approaches which are particularly important for mitochondrial pathologies?

Ultra-high spatio-temporal resolution imaging with parallel acquisition-readout structured illumination microscopy (PAR-SIM)

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) has emerged as a promising super-resolution fluorescence imaging technique, offering diverse configurations and computational strategies to mitigate phototoxicity during real-time imaging of biological specimens. Traditional efforts to enhance system frame rates have concentrated on processing algorithms, like rolling reconstruction or reduced frame reconstruction, or on investments in costly sCMOS cameras with accelerated row readout rates. In this article, we introduce an approach to elevate SIM frame rates and region of interest (ROI) coverage at the hardware level, without necessitating an upsurge in camera expenses or intricate algorithms. Here, parallel acquisition-readout SIM (PAR-SIM) achieves the highest imaging speed for fluorescence imaging at currently available detector sensitivity. By using the full frame-width of the detector through synchronizing the pattern generation and image exposure-readout process, we have achieved a fundamentally stupendous information spatial-temporal flux of 132.9 MPixels · s-1, 9.6-fold that of the latest techniques, with the lowest SNR of -2.11 dB and 100 nm resolution. PAR-SIM demonstrates its proficiency in successfully reconstructing diverse cellular organelles in dual excitations, even under conditions of low signal due to ultra-short exposure times. Notably, mitochondrial dynamic tubulation and ongoing membrane fusion processes have been captured in live COS-7 cell, recorded with PAR-SIM at an impressive 408 Hz. We posit that this novel parallel exposure-readout mode not only augments SIM pattern modulation for superior frame rates but also holds the potential to benefit other complex imaging systems with a strategic controlling approach.

Visualization of cristae and mtDNA interactions via STED nanoscopy using a low saturation power probe

Mitochondria are crucial organelles closely associated with cellular metabolism and function. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes a variety of transcripts and proteins essential for cellular function. However, the interaction between the inner membrane (IM) and mtDNA remains elusive due to the limitations in spatiotemporal resolution offered by conventional microscopy and the absence of suitable in vivo probes specifically targeting the IM. Here, we have developed a novel fluorescence probe called HBmito Crimson, characterized by exceptional photostability, fluorogenicity within lipid membranes, and low saturation power. We successfully achieved over 500 frames of low-power stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED) imaging to visualize the IM dynamics, with a spatial resolution of 40 nm. By utilizing dual-color imaging of the IM and mtDNA, it has been uncovered that mtDNA tends to habitat at mitochondrial tips or branch points, exhibiting an overall spatially uniform distribution. Notably, the dynamics of mitochondria are intricately associated with the positioning of mtDNA, and fusion consistently occurs in close proximity to mtDNA to minimize pressure during cristae remodeling. In healthy cells, >66% of the mitochondria are Class III (i.e., mitochondria >5 μm or with >12 cristae), while it dropped to <18% in ferroptosis. Mitochondrial dynamics, orchestrated by cristae remodeling, foster the even distribution of mtDNA. Conversely, in conditions of apoptosis and ferroptosis where the cristae structure is compromised, mtDNA distribution becomes irregular. These findings, achieved with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, reveal the intricate interplay between cristae and mtDNA and provide insights into the driving forces behind mtDNA distribution.

An aldehyde-crosslinking mitochondrial probe for STED imaging in fixed cells

Fluorescence labeling of chemically fixed specimens, especially immunolabeling, plays a vital role in super-resolution imaging as it offers a convenient way to visualize cellular structures like mitochondria or the distribution of biomolecules with high detail. Despite the development of various distinct probes that enable super-resolved stimulated emission depletion (STED) imaging of mitochondria in live cells, most of these membrane-potential-dependent fluorophores cannot be retained well in mitochondria after chemical fixation. This lack of suitable mitochondrial probes has limited STED imaging of mitochondria to live cell samples. In this study, we introduce a mitochondria-specific probe, PK Mito Orange FX (PKMO FX), which features a fixation-driven cross-linking motif and accumulates in the mitochondrial inner membrane. It exhibits high fluorescence retention after chemical fixation and efficient depletion at 775 nm, enabling nanoscopic imaging both before and after aldehyde fixation. We demonstrate the compatibility of this probe with conventional immunolabeling and other strategies commonly used for fluorescence labeling of fixed samples. Moreover, we show that PKMO FX facilitates correlative super-resolution light and electron microscopy, enabling the correlation of multicolor fluorescence images and transmission EM images via the characteristic mitochondrial pattern. Our probe further expands the mitochondrial toolkit for multimodal microscopy at nanometer resolutions.

Lumos maxima - How robust fluorophores resist photobleaching?

Fluorescent dyes synergize with advanced microscopy for researchers to investigate the location and dynamic processes of biomacromolecules with high spatial and temporal resolution. However, the instability of fluorescent dyes, including photobleaching and photoconversion, represent fundamental limits for super-resolution and time-lapse imaging. In this review, we discuss the latest advances in improving the photostability of fluorescent dyes. We summarize the primary photobleaching processes of cyanine and rhodamine dyes and highlight a range of strategies developed in recent years to strengthen these fluorophores. Additionally, we discuss the influence of protein microenvironments and labeling methods on the photostability of fluorophores. We aim to inspire next-generation robust and bright fluorophores that ultimately enable the routine practice of time-lapse super-resolution imaging of live cells.

Drosophila MIC10b can polymerize into cristae-shaping filaments

Cristae are invaginations of the mitochondrial inner membrane that are crucial for cellular energy metabolism. The formation of cristae requires the presence of a protein complex known as MICOS, which is conserved across eukaryotic species. One of the subunits of this complex, MIC10, is a transmembrane protein that supports cristae formation by oligomerization. In Drosophila melanogaster, three MIC10-like proteins with different tissue-specific expression patterns exist. We demonstrate that CG41128/MINOS1b/DmMIC10b is the major MIC10 orthologue in flies. Its loss destabilizes MICOS, disturbs cristae architecture, and reduces the life span and fertility of flies. We show that DmMIC10b has a unique ability to polymerize into bundles of filaments, which can remodel mitochondrial crista membranes. The formation of these filaments relies on conserved glycine and cysteine residues, and can be suppressed by the co-expression of other Drosophila MICOS proteins. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of MICOS in flies, and suggest potential mechanisms for the maintenance of mitochondrial ultrastructure.

Photobleaching and phototoxicity of mitochondria in live cell fluorescent super-resolution microscopy

Photobleaching and phototoxicity can induce detrimental effects on cell viability and compromise the integrity of collected data, particularly in studies utilizing super-resolution microscopes. Given the involvement of multiple factors, it is currently challenging to propose a single set of standards for assessing the potential of phototoxicity. The objective of this paper is to present empirical data on the effects of photobleaching and phototoxicity on mitochondria during super-resolution imaging of mitochondrial structure and function using Airyscan and the fluorescent structure dyes Mitotracker green (MTG), 10-N-nonyl acridine orange (NAO), and voltage dye Tetramethylrhodamine, Ethyl Ester (TMRE). We discern two related phenomena. First, phototoxicity causes a transformation of mitochondria from tubular to spherical shape, accompanied by a reduction in the number of cristae. Second, phototoxicity impacts the mitochondrial membrane potential. Through these parameters, we discovered that upon illumination, NAO is much more phototoxic to mitochondria compared to MTG or TMRE and that these parameters can be used to evaluate the relative phototoxicity of various mitochondrial dye-illumination combinations during mitochondrial imaging.

Auxochrome Dimethyl-Dihydroacridine Improves Fluorophores for Prolonged Live-Cell Super-Resolution Imaging

Superior photostability, minimal phototoxicity, red-shifted absorption/emission wavelengths, high brightness, and an enlarged Stokes shift are essential characteristics of top-tier organic fluorophores, particularly for long-lasting super-resolution imaging in live cells (e.g., via stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy). However, few existing fluorophores possess all of these properties. In this study, we demonstrate a general approach for simultaneously enhancing these parameters through the introduction of 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (DMA) as an electron-donating auxochrome. DMA not only induces red shifts in emission wavelengths but also suppresses photooxidative reactions and prevents the formation of triplet states in DMA-based fluorophores, greatly improving photostability and remarkably minimizing phototoxicity. Moreover, the DMA group enhances the fluorophores' brightness and enlarges the Stokes shift. Importantly, the "universal" benefits of attaching the DMA auxochrome have been exemplified in various fluorophores including rhodamines, difluoride-boron complexes, and coumarin derivatives. The resulting fluorophores successfully enabled the STED imaging of organelles and HaloTag-labeled membrane proteins.

Recent advances in FRET probes for mitochondrial imaging and sensing

Mitochondria, as essential organelles in cells, play a crucial role in cellular growth and apoptosis. Monitoring mitochondria is of great importance, as mitochondrial dysfunction is often considered a hallmark event of cell apoptosis. Traditional fluorescence probes used for mitochondrial imaging and sensing are mostly intensity-based and are susceptible to factors such as concentration, the probe environment, and fluorescence intensity. Probes based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) can effectively overcome external interference and achieve high-contrast imaging of mitochondria as well as quantitative monitoring of mitochondrial microenvironments. This review focuses on recent advances in the application of FRET-based probes for mitochondrial structure imaging and microenvironment sensing.

Chemical Approaches to Optimize the Properties of Organic Fluorophores for Imaging and Sensing

Organic fluorophores are indispensable tools in cells, tissue and in vivo imaging, and have enabled much progress in the wide range of biological and biomedical fields. However, many available dyes suffer from insufficient performances, such as short absorption and emission wavelength, low brightness, poor stability, small Stokes shift, and unsuitable permeability, restricting their application in advanced imaging technology and complex imaging. Over the past two decades, many efforts have been made to improve these performances of fluorophores. Starting with the luminescence principle of fluorophores, this review clarifies the mechanisms of the insufficient performance for traditional fluorophores to a certain extent, systematically summarizes the modified approaches of optimizing properties, highlights the typical applications of the improved fluorophores in imaging and sensing, and indicates existing problems and challenges in this area. This progress not only proves the significance of improving fluorophores properties, but also provide a theoretical guidance for the development of high-performance fluorophores.

Rhodamine-based fluorescent probe for dynamic STED imaging of mitochondria

Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy holds tremendous potential and practical implications in the field of biomedicine. However, the weak anti-bleaching performance remains a major challenge limiting the application of STED fluorescent probes. Meanwhile, the main excitation wavelengths of most reported STED fluorescent probes were below 500 nm or above 600 nm, and few of them were between 500-600 nm. Herein, we developed a new tetraphenyl ethylene-functionalized rhodamine dye (TPERh) for mitochondrial dynamic cristae imaging that was rhodamine-based with an excitation wavelength of 560 nm. The TPERh probe exhibits excellent anti-bleaching properties and low saturating stimulated radiation power in mitochondrial STED super-resolution imaging. Given these outstanding properties, the TPERh probe was used to measure mitochondrial deformation, which has positive implications for the study of mitochondria-related diseases.

The involvement of the mitochondrial membrane in drug delivery

Treatment effectiveness and biosafety are critical for disease therapy. Bio-membrane modification facilitates the homologous targeting of drugs in vivo by exploiting unique antibodies or antigens, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while ensuring biosafety. To further enhance the precision of disease treatment, future research should shift focus from targeted cellular delivery to targeted subcellular delivery. As the cellular powerhouses, mitochondria play an indispensable role in cell growth and regulation and are closely involved in many diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases). The double-layer membrane wrapped on the surface of mitochondria not only maintains the stability of their internal environment but also plays a crucial role in fundamental biological processes, such as energy generation, metabolite transport, and information communication. A growing body of evidence suggests that various diseases are tightly related to mitochondrial imbalance. Moreover, mitochondria-targeted strategies hold great potential to decrease therapeutic threshold dosage, minimize side effects, and promote the development of precision medicine. Herein, we introduce the structure and function of mitochondrial membranes, summarize and discuss the important role of mitochondrial membrane-targeting materials in disease diagnosis/treatment, and expound the advantages of mitochondrial membrane-assisted drug delivery for disease diagnosis, treatment, and biosafety. This review helps readers understand mitochondria-targeted therapies and promotes the application of mitochondrial membranes in drug delivery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bio-membrane modification facilitates the homologous targeting of drugs in vivo by exploiting unique antibodies or antigens, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while ensuring biosafety. Compared to cell-targeted treatment, targeting of mitochondria for drug delivery offers higher efficiency and improved biosafety and will promote the development of precision medicine. As a natural material, the mitochondrial membrane exhibits excellent biocompatibility and can serve as a carrier for mitochondria-targeted delivery. This review provides an overview of the structure and function of mitochondrial membranes and explores the potential benefits of utilizing mitochondrial membrane-assisted drug delivery for disease treatment and biosafety. The aim of this review is to enhance readers' comprehension of mitochondrial targeted therapy and to advance the utilization of mitochondrial membrane in drug delivery.

Cristae dynamics is modulated in bioenergetically compromised mitochondria

Cristae membranes have been recently shown to undergo intramitochondrial merging and splitting events. Yet, the metabolic and bioenergetic factors regulating them are unclear. Here, we investigated whether and how cristae morphology and dynamics are dependent on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes, the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and the ADP/ATP nucleotide translocator. Advanced live-cell STED nanoscopy combined with in-depth quantification were employed to analyse cristae morphology and dynamics after treatment of mammalian cells with rotenone, antimycin A, oligomycin A, and CCCP. This led to formation of enlarged mitochondria along with reduced cristae density but did not impair cristae dynamics. CCCP treatment leading to ΔΨm abrogation even enhanced cristae dynamics showing its ΔΨm-independent nature. Inhibition of OXPHOS complexes was accompanied by reduced ATP levels but did not affect cristae dynamics. However, inhibition of ADP/ATP exchange led to aberrant cristae morphology and impaired cristae dynamics in a mitochondrial subset. In sum, we provide quantitative data of cristae membrane remodelling under different conditions supporting an important interplay between OXPHOS, metabolite exchange, and cristae membrane dynamics.

Safari with an Electron Gun: Visualization of Protein and Membrane Interactions in Mitochondria in Natural Environment

This paper presents new structural data about mitochondria using correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and cryo-electron tomography. These state-of-the-art structural biology methods allow studying biological objects at nanometer scales under natural conditions. Non-invasiveness of these methods makes them comparable to observing animals in their natural environment on a safari. The paper highlights two areas of research that can only be accomplished using these methods. The study visualized location of the Aβ42 amyloid aggregates in relation to mitochondria to test a hypothesis of development of mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. The results showed that the Aβ42 aggregates do not interact with mitochondria, although some of them are closely located. Therefore, the study demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction is not directly associated with the effects of aggregates on mitochondrial structure. Other processes should be considered as sources of mitochondrial dysfunction. Second unique area presented in this work is high-resolution visualization of the mitochondrial membranes and proteins in them. Analysis of the cryo-ET data reveals toroidal holes in the lamellar structures of cardiac mitochondrial cristae, where ATP synthases are located. The study proposes a new mechanism for sorting and clustering protein complexes in the membrane based on topology. According to this suggestion, position of the OXPHOS system proteins in the membrane is determined by its curvature. High-resolution tomography expands and complements existing ideas about the structural and functional organization of mitochondria. This makes it possible to study the previously inaccessible structural interactions of proteins with each other and with membranes in vivo.

A Bright, Photostable, and Far-Red Dye That Enables Multicolor, Time-Lapse, and Super-Resolution Imaging of Acidic Organelles

Lysosomes have long been known for their acidic lumens and efficient degradation of cellular byproducts. In recent years, it has become clear that their function is far more sophisticated, involving multiple cell signaling pathways and interactions with other organelles. Unfortunately, their acidic interior, fast dynamics, and small size make lysosomes difficult to image with fluorescence microscopy. Here we report a far-red small molecule, HMSiR680-Me, that fluoresces only under acidic conditions, causing selective labeling of acidic organelles in live cells. HMSiR680-Me can be used alongside other far-red dyes in multicolor imaging experiments and is superior to existing lysosome probes in terms of photostability and maintaining cell health and lysosome motility. We demonstrate that HMSiR680-Me is compatible with overnight time-lapse experiments as well as time-lapse super-resolution microscopy with a frame rate of 1.5 fps for at least 1000 frames. HMSiR680-Me can also be used alongside silicon rhodamine dyes in a multiplexed super-resolution microscopy experiment to visualize interactions between mitochondria and lysosomes with only a single excitation laser and simultaneous depletion. We envision this dye permitting a more detailed study of the role of lysosomes in dynamic cellular processes and disease.

Real-Time Monitoring of Mitochondrial Damage Using Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes

Conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs) comprise a class of fluorescent reporters with tunable optical properties and lipid bilayer affinity. These molecules have proven effective in a range of bioimaging applications; however, their use in characterizing specific subcellular structures remains restricted. Such capabilities would broaden COE applications to understand cellular dysfunction, cell communication, and the targets of different pharmaceutical agents. Here, we disclose a novel COE derivative, COE-CN, which enables the visualization of mitochondria, including morphological changes and lysosomal fusion upon treatment with depolarizing agents. COE-CN is characterized by the presence of imidazolium solubilizing groups and an optically active cyanovinyl-linked distyrylbenzene core with intramolecular charge-transfer characteristics. Our current understanding is that the relatively shorter molecular length of COE-CN leads to weaker binding within lipid bilayer membranes, which allows sampling of internal cellular structures and ultimately to different localization relative to elongated COEs. As a means of practical demonstration, COE-CN can be used to diagnose cells with damaged mitochondria via flow cytometry. Coupled with an elongated COE that does not translocate upon depolarization, changes in ratiometric fluorescence intensity can be used to monitor mitochondrial membrane potential disruption, demonstrating the potential for use in diagnostic assays.

Long-term super-resolution inner mitochondrial membrane imaging with a lipid probe

The inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) generates power to drive cell function, and its dynamics control mitochondrial health and cellular homeostasis. Here, we describe the cell-permeant, lipid-like small molecule MAO-N3 and use it to assemble high-density environmentally sensitive (HIDE) probes that selectively label and image the IMM in live cells and multiple cell states. MAO-N3 pairs with strain-promoted azide-alkyne click chemistry-reactive fluorophores to support HIDE imaging using confocal, structured illumination, single-molecule localization and stimulated emission depletion microscopy, all with significantly improved resistance to photobleaching. These probes generate images with excellent spatial and temporal resolution, require no genetic manipulations, are non-toxic in model cell lines and primary cardiomyocytes (even under conditions that amplify the effects of mitochondrial toxins) and can visualize mitochondrial dynamics for 12.5 h. This probe will enable comprehensive studies of IMM dynamics with high temporal and spatial resolution.

Advanced Imaging Techniques for the Characterization of Subcellular Organelle Structure in Pancreatic Islet β Cells

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects more than 32.3 million individuals in the United States, creating an economic burden of nearly $966 billion in 2021. T2D results from a combination of insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion from the pancreatic β cell. However, genetic and physiologic data indicate that defects in β cell function are the chief determinant of whether an individual with insulin resistance will progress to a diagnosis of T2D. The subcellular organelles of the insulin secretory pathway, including the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and secretory granules, play a critical role in maintaining the heavy biosynthetic burden of insulin production, processing, and secretion. In addition, the mitochondria enable the process of insulin release by integrating the metabolism of nutrients into energy output. Advanced imaging techniques are needed to determine how changes in the structure and composition of these organelles contribute to the loss of insulin secretory capacity in the β cell during T2D. Several microscopy techniques, including electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and soft X-ray tomography, have been utilized to investigate the structure-function relationship within the β cell. In this overview article, we will detail the methodology, strengths, and weaknesses of each approach. © 2024 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 14:5243-5267, 2024.

A pipeline for STED super-resolution imaging and Imaris analysis of nanoscale synapse organization in mouse cortical brain slices

Advances in super-resolution imaging enable us to delve into its intricate structural and functional complexities with unprecedented detail. Here, we present a pipeline to visualize and analyze the nanoscale organization of cortical layer 1 apical dendritic spines in the mouse prefrontal cortex. We describe steps for brain slice preparation, immunostaining, stimulated emission depletion super-resolution microscopy, and data analysis using the Imaris software package. This protocol allows the study of physiologically relevant brain circuits implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders.

A Mitochondrion-Inspired Magnesium-Oxygen Biobattery with High Energy Density In Vivo

Implantable batteries are urgently needed as a power source to meet the demands of the next generation of biomedical electronic devices. However, existing implantable batteries suffer from unsatisfactory energy density, hindering the miniaturization of these devices. Here, a mitochondrion-inspired magnesium-oxygen biobattery that achieves both high energy density and biocompatibility in vivo is reported. The resulting biobattery exhibits a recorded energy density of 2517 Wh L-1 /1491 Wh kg-1 based on the total volume/mass of the device in vivo, which is ≈2.5 times higher than the current state-of-the-art, and can adapt to different environments for stable discharges. The volume of the magnesium-oxygen biobattery can be as thin as 0.015 mm3 and can be scaled up to 400 times larger without reducing the energy density. Additionally, it shows a stable biobattery/tissue interface, significantly reducing foreign body reactions. This work presents an effective strategy for the development of high-performance implantable batteries.

Orange/far-red hybrid voltage indicators with reduced phototoxicity enable reliable long-term imaging in neurons and cardiomyocytes

Hybrid voltage indicators (HVIs) are chemogenetic sensors that combines the superior photophysical properties of organic dyes and the genetic targetability of protein sensors to report transient membrane voltage changes. They exhibit boosted sensitivity in excitable cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes. However, the voltage signals recorded during long-term imaging are severely diminished or distorted due to phototoxicity and photobleaching issues. To capture stable electrophysiological activities over a long time, we employ cyanine dyes conjugated with a cyclooctatetraene (COT) molecule as the fluorescence reporter of HVI. The resulting orange-emitting HVI-COT-Cy3 enables high-fidelity voltage imaging for up to 30 min in cultured primary neurons with a sensitivity of ~ -30% ΔF/F0 per action potential (AP). It also maximally preserves the signal of individual APs in cardiomyocytes. The far-red-emitting HVI-COT-Cy5 allows two-color voltage/calcium imaging with GCaMP6s in neurons and cardiomyocytes for 15 min. We leverage the HVI-COT series with reduced phototoxicity and photobleaching to evaluate the impact of drug candidates on the electrophysiology of excitable cells.

A Bright, Photostable Dye that Enables Multicolor, Time Lapse, and Super-Resolution Imaging of Acidic Organelles

Lysosomes have long been known for their acidic lumen and efficient degradation of cellular byproducts. In recent years it has become clear that their function is far more sophisticated, involving multiple cell signaling pathways and interactions with other organelles. Unfortunately, their acidic interior, fast dynamics, and small size makes lysosomes difficult to image with fluorescence microscopy. Here we report a far-red small molecule, HMSiR680-Me, that fluoresces only under acidic conditions, causing selective labeling of acidic organelles in live cells. HMSiR680-Me can be used alongside other far-red dyes in multicolor imaging experiments and is superior to existing lysosome probes in terms of photostability and maintaining cell health and lysosome motility. We demonstrate that HMSiR680-Me is compatible with overnight time lapse experiments, as well as time lapse super-resolution microscopy with a fast frame rate for at least 1000 frames. HMSiR680-Me can also be used alongside silicon rhodamine dyes in a multiplexed super-resolution microscopy experiment to visualize interactions between the inner mitochondrial membrane and lysosomes with only a single excitation laser and simultaneous depletion. We envision this dye permitting more detailed study of the role of lysosomes in dynamic cellular processes and disease.

Structural Analysis of Mitochondria in Cardiomyocytes: Insights into Bioenergetics and Membrane Remodeling

Mitochondria in mammalian cardiomyocytes display considerable structural heterogeneity, the significance of which is not currently understood. We use electron microscopic tomography to analyze a dataset of 68 mitochondrial subvolumes to look for correlations among mitochondrial size and shape, crista morphology and membrane density, and organelle location within rat cardiac myocytes. A tomographic analysis guided the definition of four classes of crista morphology: lamellar, tubular, mixed and transitional, the last associated with remodeling between lamellar and tubular cristae. Correlations include an apparent bias for mitochondria with lamellar cristae to be located in the regions between myofibrils and a two-fold larger crista membrane density in mitochondria with lamellar cristae relative to mitochondria with tubular cristae. The examination of individual cristae inside mitochondria reveals local variations in crista topology, such as extent of branching, alignment of fenestrations and progressive changes in membrane morphology and packing density. The findings suggest both a rationale for the interfibrillar location of lamellar mitochondria and a pathway for crista remodeling from lamellar to tubular morphology.

Using Live Cell STED Imaging to Visualize Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Ultrastructure in Neuronal Cell Models

Mitochondria play many essential roles in the cell, including energy production, regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis, lipid biosynthesis, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These mitochondria-mediated processes take on specialized roles in neurons, coordinating aerobic metabolism to meet the high energy demands of these cells, modulating Ca2+ signaling, providing lipids for axon growth and regeneration, and tuning ROS production for neuronal development and function. Mitochondrial dysfunction is therefore a central driver in neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondrial structure and function are inextricably linked. The morphologically complex inner membrane with structural infolds called cristae harbors many molecular systems that perform the signature processes of the mitochondrion. The architectural features of the inner membrane are ultrastructural and therefore, too small to be visualized by traditional diffraction-limited resolved microscopy. Thus, most insights on mitochondrial ultrastructure have come from electron microscopy on fixed samples. However, emerging technologies in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy now provide resolution down to tens of nanometers, allowing visualization of ultrastructural features in live cells. Super-resolution imaging therefore offers an unprecedented ability to directly image fine details of mitochondrial structure, nanoscale protein distributions, and cristae dynamics, providing fundamental new insights that link mitochondria to human health and disease. This protocol presents the use of stimulated emission depletion (STED) super-resolution microscopy to visualize the mitochondrial ultrastructure of live human neuroblastoma cells and primary rat neurons. This procedure is organized into five sections: (1) growth and differentiation of the SH-SY5Y cell line, (2) isolation, plating, and growth of primary rat hippocampal neurons, (3) procedures for staining cells for live STED imaging, (4) procedures for live cell STED experiments using a STED microscope for reference, and (5) guidance for segmentation and image processing using examples to measure and quantify morphological features of the inner membrane.

Deep learning enables fast, gentle STED microscopy

STED microscopy is widely used to image subcellular structures with super-resolution. Here, we report that restoring STED images with deep learning can mitigate photobleaching and photodamage by reducing the pixel dwell time by one or two orders of magnitude. Our method allows for efficient and robust restoration of noisy 2D and 3D STED images with multiple targets and facilitates long-term imaging of mitochondrial dynamics.

Orange-Emissive Carbon Dots with High Photostability for Mitochondrial Dynamics Tracking in Living Cells

Mitochondria play significant roles in maintaining a stable internal environment for cell metabolism. Hence, real-time monitoring of the dynamics of mitochondria is essential for further understanding mitochondria-related diseases. Fluorescent probes provide powerful tools for visualizing dynamic processes. However, most mitochondria-targeted probes are derived from organic molecules with poor photostability, making long-term dynamic monitoring challenging. Herein, we design a novel mitochondria-targeted probe based on carbon dots with high performance for long-term tracking. Considering that the targeting ability of CDs is related to surface functional groups, which are generally determined by the reaction precursors, we successfully constructed mitochondria-targeted O-CDs with emission at 565 nm through solvothermal treatment of m-diethylaminophenol. The O-CDs are bright with a high quantum yield of 12.61%, high mitochondria-targeting ability, and good stability. The O-CDs possess a high quantum yield (12.61%), specific mitochondria-targeting ability, and outstanding optical stability. Owing to the abundant hydroxyl and ammonium cations on the surface, O-CDs showed obvious accumulation in mitochondria with a high colocalization coefficient of up to 0.90 and remained steady even after fixation. Besides, O-CDs showed outstanding compatibility and photostability under various interruptions or long-time irradiation. Therefore, O-CDs are preferable for the long-term tracking of dynamic mitochondrial behavior in live cells. We first observed the mitochondrial fission and fusion behaviors in HeLa cells, and then, the size, morphology, and distribution of mitochondria in physiological or pathological conditions were clearly recorded. More importantly, we observed different dynamics interactions between mitochondria and lipid droplets during the apoptosis and mitophagy processes. This study provides a potential tool for exploring interactions between mitochondria and other organelles, further promoting the research on mitochondria-related diseases.

Identifying STEDable BF2-Azadipyrromethene Fluorophores

BF₂-azadipyrromethenes are highly versatile fluorophores used for cellular and in vivo imaging in the near-infrared and far-red regions of the spectrum. As of yet, their use in conjunction with super-resolution imaging methodologies has not been explored. In this report, a series of structurally related BF₂-azadipyrromethenes has been examined for their suitability for use with stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy. The potential for STED imaging was initially evaluated using aqueous solutions of fluorophores as an effective predictor of fluorophore suitability. For live cell STED imaging in both 2D and 3D, several far-red emitting BF₂-azadipyrromethenes were successfully employed. Image resolution below the diffraction limit of a confocal microscope was demonstrated through measurement of distinct intracellular features including the nuclear membrane, nuclear lamina invaginations, the endoplasmic reticulum, and vacuoles. As the STED ability of BF₂-azadipyrromethene fluorophores has now been established, their use with this super-resolution method may be expected to increase in the future.