Mitochondrial markers are specific molecules or structures used in research to identify, study, and characterize mitochondria within cells. These markers can provide valuable information about mitochondrial function, dynamics, and cellular localization. Various mitochondrial markers are used in different research applications to gain insights into mitochondrial biology, dysfunction, and their role in various diseases. Mitochondrial DNA is a unique marker used to identify and quantify mitochondria within cells. Unlike nuclear DNA, mtDNA is circular, encoding a small number of genes essential for mitochondrial function. Changes in mtDNA content can indicate alterations in mitochondrial biogenesis or degradation processes and have been associated with various diseases and aging. Several proteins are specifically localized to the mitochondria and serve as markers for these organelles. Some commonly used mitochondrial protein markers include: 1) cytochrome c, a heme-containing protein involved in the electron transport chain and apoptosis. It is often used as a marker for the release of mitochondrial proteins into the cytosol during apoptosis; 2) ATP synthase subunit alpha, component of the ATP synthase complex, involved in oxidative phosphorylation and ATP synthesis. It is frequently used to assess mitochondrial content and function; 3) COX IV (Cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV), a subunit of cytochrome c oxidase, an essential enzyme in the electron transport chain. It is used as a marker for mitochondrial content and respiratory chain activity; 4) Tom20 (Translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane 20), a mitochondrial outer membrane protein involved in protein import. It is widely used as a marker for mitochondrial localization and import machinery. These mitochondrial protein markers are often detected using immunofluorescence or Western blotting techniques to visualize and quantify mitochondria within cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) is another critical marker used to assess the functional status of mitochondria. It is a measure of the voltage across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is essential for ATP production and maintaining ion gradients. Fluorescent dyes such as JC-1 and TMRE (tetramethylrhodamine, ethyl ester) are used to measure changes in Δψm. A decrease in membrane potential is frequently associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and can be indicative of cellular stress or damage. Mitochondria are also a significant source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during oxidative phosphorylation. Excessive ROS production can lead to oxidative stress and damage cellular components. Fluorescent probes are often used to measure mitochondrial ROS levels and assess oxidative stress in cells or tissues. Mitochondrial dynamics, including fission and fusion, play crucial roles in mitochondrial quality control and distribution. Mitochondrial fission is the process by which a single mitochondrion divides into two or more smaller mitochondria, whilst fusion is the merging of two or more mitochondria to form a larger mitochondrion. Proteins involved in these processes, such as Drp1 (dynamin-related protein 1), Mfn1/2 (mitofusin 1 and 2), and Opa1 (optic atrophy 1), are often used as markers to study mitochondrial dynamics and their role in cellular health and disease. We provide a wide product range of research tools for studying mitochondrial markers, including Bcl-2 antibodies, Prohibitin antibodies, Cytochrome C antibodies, GST antibodies, and Bcl-XL antibodies. Explore our full mitochondrial markers product range below and discover more, for less.