Fluorescent probes that show a spectral response upon binding Ca2+ have enabled researchers to investigate changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and fluorescence spectroscopy. The properties and applications of these fluorescent indicators—most of which are derivatives of the Ca2+ chelators EGTA, APTRA and BAPTA ref—have been extensively reviewed.ref Several earlier reviews of these ion indicators also contain useful technical information.ref

We discuss chemical Ca2+ indicators according to their excitation requirements in Fluorescent Ca2+ Indicators Excited with UV Light—Section 19.2 and Fluorescent Ca2+ Indicators Excited with Visible Light—Section 19.3, and their high-molecular weight conjugates are described in Fluorescent Ca2+ Indicator Conjugates—Section 19.4. Protein-based Ca2+ sensors are discussed in Protein-Based Ca2+ Sensors—Section 19.5.

Selection Criteria for Fluorescent Ca2+ Indicators

We offer the widest selection of fluorescent indicators available for detecting changes in intracellular Ca2+ over the range of <50 nM to >50 µM (Summary of Molecular Probes fluorescent Ca2+ indicators—Table 19.1). As the primary suppliers of fura-2, indo-1, fluo-3 (photo), fluo-4 and rhod-2, we also offer many specialized indicators for intracellular Ca2+. Our fura-4F, fura-6F and fura-FF indicators provide increased response sensitivity to intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the 0.5–5 µM range, as compared with fura-2. The fluo-3, fluo-4, Oregon Green 488 BAPTA, Calcium Green, X-rhod-1 and Fura Red indicators and their variants enable Ca2+ detection in confocal microscopy and high-throughput G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) screening applications. In addition, we offer indicators that are conjugated to high– or low–molecular weight dextrans for improved cellular retention and less compartmentalization (Fluorescent Ca2+ Indicator Conjugates—Section 19.4). We strive to provide the highest-purity indicators available anywhere. The AM ester forms of most of our indicators are typically at least 95% pure by HPLC analysis, although purity often exceeds 98%. Furthermore, the AM esters of many of the Ca2+ and Mg2+ indicators are available in sets of 50 µg for more convenient handling and reduced risk of deterioration during storage. For high-throughput screening applications, fluo-4 AM is offered in special multi-unit packages (F14202), as well as in application-specific Fluo-4 NW and Fluo-4 Direct Calcium Assay Kits (Fluorescent Ca2+ Indicators Excited with Visible Light—Section 19.3).

A number of factors should be considered when selecting a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, some of which are summarized in Summary of Molecular Probes fluorescent Ca2+ indicators—Table 19.1 and include the following:

  • Indicator form (salt, AM ester or dextran conjugate), which influences the cell-loading method and affects the indicator's intracellular distribution and retention (Loading and Calibration of Intracellular Ion Indicators—Note 19.1). The salt and dextran forms are typically loaded by microinjection, microprojectile bombardment or electroporation or by using the Influx pinocytic cell-loading reagent (I14402, Chelators, Calibration Buffers, Ionophores and Cell-Loading Reagents—Section 19.8) (Choosing a Tracer—Section 14.1, Techniques for loading molecules into the cytoplasm—Table 14.1). In contrast, the cell-permeant acetoxymethyl (AM) esters can be passively loaded into cells, where they are cleaved to cell-impermeant products by intracellular esterases.
  • Measurement mode, which is dictated by whether qualitative or quantitative ion concentration data are required. Ion indicators that exhibit spectral shifts upon ion binding can be used for ratiometric measurements of Ca2+ concentration, which are essentially independent of uneven dye loading, cell thickness, photobleaching effects and dye leakage (Loading and Calibration of Intracellular Ion Indicators—Note 19.1). Excitation and emission wavelength preferences depend on the type of instrumentation being used, as well as on sample autofluorescence and on the presence of other fluorescent or photoactivatable probes in the experiment.
  • Dissociation constant (Kd), which must be compatible with the Ca2+ concentration range of interest. Indicators have a detectable response in the concentration range from approximately 0.1 × Kd to 10 × Kd. For ratiometric indicators, the Ca2+ response range is also somewhat dependent on the measurement wavelengths used.ref The Kd of Ca2+ indicators is dependent on many factors, including pH, temperature,ref ionic strength, viscosity, protein binding and the presence of Mg2+ and other ions. Consequently, Kd values for intracellular indicators are usually significantly higher than corresponding values measured in cell-free solutions (Comparison of in vitro and in situ Kd values for various Ca2+ indicators—Table 19.2).

Intracellular calibration of Ca2+ indicators may be achieved either by manipulating Ca2+ levels inside cells using an ionophore or by releasing the indicator into the surrounding medium of known Ca2+ concentration via detergent lysis of the cells. We also offer several compounds and buffers for measuring and manipulating intracellular and extracellular Ca2+. These products, which are discussed in Chelators, Calibration Buffers, Ionophores and Cell-Loading Reagents—Section 19.8, include caged Ca2+ reagents and caged chelators (NP-EGTA, DMNP-EDTA and diazo-2), as well as Calcium Calibration Buffer Kits, BAPTA-derived buffers, ion-selective chelating polymers (Calcium Sponge) and the important Ca2+ ionophores ionomycin, A-23187 and its nonfluorescent analog, 4-bromo A-23187. Reagents for probing Ca2+ regulation and second messenger activity are described in more detail in Probes for Signal Transduction—Chapter 17. Our reagents for the study of Ca2+ channels are described in Probes for Ion Channels and Carriers—Section 16.3.

仅供科研使用,不可用于诊断目的。