Intracellular Mg2+ is important for mediating enzymatic reactions, DNA synthesis, hormonal secretion, and muscular contraction. To facilitate the investigation of magnesium’s role in these and other cellular functions, Invitrogen fluorescent indicators are designed to deliver ratiometric or intensity-based signals for reporting Mg2+ concentration using UV or visible excitation.
Indicators for magnesium
- UV or visible excitation
- Ratiometric or intensity-based measurement
Measurements using fluorescent Mg2+ indicators are somewhat more demanding than intracellular Ca2+ determinations because physiological changes in Mg2+ concentration are relatively small—but Mg2+ indicators are generally designed to maximally respond to the Mg2+ concentrations commonly found in cells, typically ranging from about 0.1 mM to 6 mM.
CHO-M1 cells loaded with 5 µM Mag-Fura-2.
Magnesium indicators are useful for measuring relief of NMDA channel blockade and entry through L-type Ca2+ channels in cardiac excitability.
| Mag-Fura-2, Tetrapotassium Salt | Mag-Fura-2, AM | Magnesium Green, Pentapotassium Salt | Magnesium Green, AM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readout | Ion-dependent spectral shift enables ratiometric determination of Mg2+ concentration | Increase in fluorescence with Mg2+ binding | ||
| Range | High affinity for Mg2+ | Highest affinity for Mg2+ | ||
| Fluorophore | Mag-Furan-2 | Magnesium Green | ||
| Standard filter set | Ratiometric and UV excitable, detect at 510 | FITC | ||
| Ex/Em (nm) | 369/511 to 330/491 | ~506/531 | ||
| Bibliography | Citations | Citations | ||
| Cell permeant or impermeant? | Impermeant | Permeant | Impermeant | Permeant |
| Platforms | Imaging | Flow cytometry, microplate, imaging | Imaging | Flow cytometry, microplate, imaging |
| Usage notes | Load by microinjection, patch pipette, or pinocytic loading agent | Load in cell media | Load by microinjection, patch pipette, or pinocytic loading agent | Load in cell media |
| Format | 1 mg | 20 x 50 µg | 1 mg | 20 x 50 µg |
| Cat. No. | M1290 | M1292 | M3733 | M3735 |
Resources
Molecular Probes Handbook
More Information
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.