Fura-2 potassium salt | 113694-64-7

Fura-2 potassium salt’s primary application is as a calcium indicator in fluorescence microscopy. This ratiometric indicator allows researchers to measure intracellular calcium concentrations with high precision. By binding to free calcium ions within cells, Fura-2 undergoes a shift in its fluorescence emission spectrum, which can be quantified using specialized equipment. This application is crucial for understanding calcium signaling pathways in various physiological and pathological processes, such as muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and cell apoptosis. Importantly, its high sensitivity and specificity enable researchers to detect even minute changes in calcium levels, providing invaluable insights into cellular function and health.

Another significant application of Fura-2 potassium salt is in cardiac research. In cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells), calcium plays a pivotal role in initiating and regulating contraction. Researchers use Fura-2 to visualize and measure the dynamic changes in calcium levels during the cardiac cycle. This helps in understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying heart muscle function and in investigating abnormalities associated with heart diseases like arrhythmias and heart failure. By providing detailed information about calcium transients, Fura-2 potentiates the development of new therapeutic strategies for treating cardiovascular diseases, as well as improving the efficacy of existing treatments.

Fura-2 potassium salt is also extensively utilized in neuroscience for studying calcium dynamics in neurons. Neuronal activity is highly dependent on calcium influx and efflux, which is essential for processes such as synaptic transmission and plasticity. By using Fura-2, neuroscientists can monitor these calcium changes in real-time, leading to a better understanding of neuronal communication and function. This application is particularly vital in studying brain function and dysfunction, including research on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Fura-2 thus serves as a critical tool in both basic and applied neuroscience research, providing a window into the inner workings of the brain.

Finally, Fura-2 potassium salt is widely used in cell biology to study cellular responses to various stimuli. Calcium signaling is a universal mechanism that governs many cellular processes such as gene expression, cell division, and apoptosis. Using Fura-2, researchers can investigate how cells react to different external stimuli (like hormones, drugs, or mechanical stress) by tracking changes in intracellular calcium levels. This application is fundamental for drug discovery and development, as it helps in identifying potential drug targets and understanding drug mechanisms. Moreover, it aids in toxicity testing by revealing how different compounds affect cellular calcium homeostasis, thereby predicting their potential cytotoxic effects.