Which dye is used for characterizing mitochondria function?

Rhodamine-123 is a fluorescent dye commonly used for assessing mitochondrial function. Its specificity for mitochondria stems from the dye's ability to accumulate in active mitochondria, where it labels them due to the organelles' negative membrane potential. This unique property allows researchers to evaluate mitochondrial health and functionality, as viable cells with energized mitochondria will take up and retain Rhodamine-123 effectively.

In tissue engineering and cellular biology research, understanding mitochondrial function is crucial, as it is directly linked to energy production and cellular metabolism. Using Rhodamine-123 can help in various applications, including assessing the viability of cells in engineered tissues or studying the effects of drugs on mitochondrial health.

The other dyes listed, while useful in different contexts, do not specifically characterize mitochondrial function. Calcein-AM primarily labels live cells by entering through intact membranes and is more generalized for cell viability. Ethidium homodimer-1 is used to stain dead cells because it penetrates compromised membranes and labels nucleic acids, not specifically mitochondria. Acridine Orange stains nucleic acids and can indicate cellular health but does not provide specific information about mitochondrial functionality. Therefore, Rhodamine-123 stands out as the most relevant dye for characterizing mitochondrial function in this context.