CCCP-induced changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential evaluated by two fluorescent lipophilic cationic dyes: Mitotracker Red (MTR)/Green (MTG) (A) and JC-1 (B).

<p>Treatment with the uncoupler CCCP decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. The concentration dependent decrease was bigger in the PV-expressing MDCK PV15 cells compared to control MDCK cells (n = 3 independent experiments, mean ± sem, differences between control and PV15 were statistically significant at all CCCP concentrations (pairwise t-test; p<0.05 marked with (*) for all pairs in (A) and (B)). C) The cuvette measurements (A,B) were confirmed by qualitative fluorescence microscopy. Collapsing of the mitochondrial membrane potential by CCCP reduced MTR fluorescence emission in both control (upper row) and PV15 MDCK (lower row) cells; the decrease was more pronounced in the PV-expressing PV15 clone.