FIG. 7.

PNPase knockdown alters mitochondrial morphology and compromises Δψ. (A) Fragmentation of the filamentous mitochondrial network with PNPase knockdown. MitoTracker Green FM-stained HEK293 control (top panels) and PNPase RNAi (bottom panels) cells show a change in mitochondrial morphology from filamentous and elongated to granularly shaped structures. (B) PNPase reduction compromises Δψ. Cells were stained with the mitochondrial membrane-sensitive dye JC-1; the live-gated cells are shown. When Δψ is high, the normally green dye aggregates (upper right quadrant in each flow cytometry profile) and stains red. The ratios of red aggregates (aggr) to green monomers (mono) (lower right quadrant in each flow cytometry profile) are indicated as a measure of Δψ. A result representative of five independent experiments is shown. WT, wild type; Vect, vector.