Based on its professional technology platform, BOC Sciences recently announced the launch of a full set of calcium ion series fluorescent indicators.
Intracellular calcium ions play a central role in a series of cellular physiological processes such as nerve signaling pathways, extracellular secretion, muscle contraction, and bone formation. Therefore, calcium measurement is essential for various biological studies. Researchers often use the specific binding of calcium ion fluorescent indicators to calcium ions to observe changes in the level of calcium ion concentration in cells. This type of indicator has almost no fluorescence before binding to calcium ions, and after binding to calcium ions, its fluorescence intensity is significantly enhanced. And its fluorescence can be detected by fluorescence microscope, laser confocal microscope, flow cytometer, microplate reader and other methods.
BOC Sciences has launched a series of calcium ion indicators to track the intracellular calcium ion concentration and study the role of calcium ion in specific cell physiological processes.
Fluo-3
Fluo-3 is a fluorescent calcium indicator excited by visible light. It is commonly used in flow cytometry and cell-based experiments to detect changes in intracellular calcium levels. Fluo-3 AM is cell-permeable and can be cleaved by intracellular esterase to form Fluo-3 and stay in the cell. Fluo-3 in its salt form cannot pass through the cell membrane by itself, and requires auxiliary tools (such as microinjection) to enter the cell.
Fluo-4
Fluo-4 is an upgraded version of the calcium indicator fluo-3. When excited by a 488 nm argon ion laser, fluo-4 at the same concentration has a brighter fluorescence than fluo-3. Fluo-4 AM is cell-permeable, and after passing through the cell membrane, it is cleaved by intracellular esterase to produce Fluo-4, which is then combined with calcium ions. Fluo-4 in its salt form is an impermeable calcium indicator that requires auxiliary tools to enter the cell.
Rhod-2
Rhod-2 is a red fluorescent calcium indicator. Compared with other calcium indicators excited by visible light, Rhod-2 fluorescence signal has the longest wavelength and is more suitable for detecting calcium ion levels in cells and tissues with higher autofluorescence.
Both Fura-2 and Indo-1 are fluorescent calcium indicators excited by ultraviolet light, and are also fluorescent calcium indicators for dual-wavelength ratio measurement. The ratio measurement method can eliminate some error factors such as differences in fluorescent probe loading efficiency, differences in cell conditions, and instrument interference. Fura-2 is suitable for digital imaging microscopes, and Indo-1 is more suitable for flow cytometry. The acetoxymethyl (AM) forms of Fura-2 and Indo-1 are cell-permeable, while the salt derivatives of Fura-2 and Indo-1 are cell impermeable.
About BOC Sciences
BOC Sciences is dedicated to providing fluorescent probes and fluorescent dyes. BOC Sciences`s products help scientists and biomedical researchers around the world to better understand the fields of biochemistry, immunology, cell biology and molecular biology. BOC Sciences strives to rely on its advanced technology to become a leader in the probe industry, providing customers with fast and convenient high-quality products and comprehensive technical support.
