Quin-2 potassium salt | 73630-23-6

Quin-2 potassium salt is a fluorescent calcium indicator commonly used in biological research. Its primary function is to bind calcium ions within cells, enabling the visualization and measurement of calcium concentrations. Upon binding with calcium, Quin-2 exhibits a change in its fluorescent properties, making it a crucial tool for studying cellular processes that involve calcium signaling. As a small molecule, Quin-2 can easily penetrate cell membranes, allowing researchers to investigate intracellular calcium dynamics. This compound is particularly valued for its high specificity for calcium ions, thereby minimizing interference from other metal ions.

One of the key applications of Quin-2 potassium salt is in neuroscience research, where it is employed to monitor calcium fluctuations in neuronal activities. Since calcium plays a vital role in neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity, Quin-2 enables neuroscientists to observe these processes in real-time within living cells. By injecting Quin-2 into neurons, researchers can study how neural networks communicate and understand the underlying mechanisms of memory and learning. The ability to track calcium movement is essential for discovering how neurons process information and respond to stimuli.

Another significant application of Quin-2 is in cardiac physiology research to investigate heart muscle contraction. Calcium ions are critical in heart muscle cells as they regulate the contraction and relaxation cycle. Using Quin-2, researchers can assess how calcium levels fluctuate during a heartbeat and how different drugs or genetic modifications can affect heart function. This insight is crucial for developing treatments for heart diseases, such as arrhythmias and heart failure, where calcium signaling is often disrupted.

Quin-2 potassium salt also finds use in pharmacology, particularly in drug development and testing. It helps in assessing how potential therapeutic compounds influence calcium signaling pathways. By understanding these pathways, scientists can identify drugs that can alter calcium dynamics beneficially, providing therapeutic approaches for conditions like hypertension, osteoporosis, or cancer. The ability to measure drug effects on calcium levels informs dose-response relationships and aids in optimizing drug efficacy and safety.

In addition to its role in research, Quin-2 is used in biotechnology for developing biosensors to detect calcium levels in various biological samples. These sensors are valuable in diagnostic applications, including monitoring calcium-related disorders or detecting changes in cellular environments due to disease. Such technology expands the potential for early diagnosis and personalized medical interventions by providing specific insights into how calcium levels correlate with health and disease states.