Labeled calcium indicators are molecules that exhibit an increase in fluorescence upon binding Ca
2+. They have uses in many calcium signaling investigations, including measuring intracellular Ca
2+, following Ca
2+ influx and release, and multiphoton excitation imaging of Ca
2+ in living tissues. Cells may be loaded with the AM ester forms of these calcium indicators by adding the dissolved indicator directly to dishes containing cultured cells. The fluorescence signal from these cells is generally measured using fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence microplate assays, or flow cytometry.
Learn more about ion indicators including calcium, potassium, pH, and membrane potential indicators ›Calcium Indicator (AM Ester) Specifications:
• Label (Ex/Em): Oregon Green™ 488 BAPTA-2 (494/523 nm)
• Fluorescence intensity increase upon binding Ca2+ : ∼100 fold
• Exhibit fluorescence increase upon binding Ca2+ with little shift in wavelengthSpectral Characteristics of Molecular Probes™ Calcium Indicators These probes are excited by visible light, and because the energy required for excitation is low, the potential for cellular photodamage is reduced. Commonly used laser-based instruments (i.e., confocal laser scanning microscopes) are able to efficiently excite these indicators, and their emissions are in regions of the spectrum where cellular autofluorescence and scattering backgrounds are often less of a problem.
More Choices for Fluorescent Calcium Indicators We offer a large selection of Molecular Probes™ calcium indicators for use in various experimental scenarios, for example dextran versions for reduced leakage and compartmentalization and BAPTA conjugates for detecting high-amplitude calcium transients. For more information, review
Fluorescent Ca2+ Indicators Excited with Visible Light—Section 19.3 in the Molecular Probes™ Handbook.
For UV-excitable Ca
2+ indicators, protein-based Ca
2+ indicators, conjugates of Ca
2+ indicators, and for fluorescence-based indicators of other metal ions (i.e., Mg
2+, Zn
2+) review
Indicators for Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and Other Metal Ions—Chapter 19 in the Molecular Probes™ Handbook.
For Research Use Only. Not intended for animal or human therapeutic or diagnostic use.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.