Calcium Probe

Calcium is an active metal that forms a dark layer of nitrogen oxides when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to the heavier homologues of ticks and ticks. It is the fifth highest content element in the earth's crust and the third highest metal after iron and aluminum. The most common calcium compound on earth is calcium carbonate, which is found in limestone and fossil remains of early marine life; gypsum, anhydrite, fluorite and apatite are also sources of calcium. The name is derived from the Latin limestone "lime" obtained by heating limestone. Calcium is the most abundant metal in the human body and the fifth highest content. As an electrolyte, calcium ions play a crucial role in the physiological and biochemical processes of organisms and cells: in signal transduction pathways, calcium ions act as second messengers; neurotransmitters are released from neurons; Muscle cells; as a cofactor for many enzymes; and fertilization. Extracellular calcium ions are important for maintaining the potential difference between excitable cell membranes, protein synthesis and bone formation.

Figure 1. Calcium in a protective argon atmosphere.

Functions

Calcium is a necessary and essential element. Ca²⁺ ions act as electrolytes and are essential for the health of the muscles, circulatory system and digestive system. It is essential for the construction of bones; and supports the synthesis and function of blood cells. For example, it regulates muscle contraction, nerve conduction and blood clotting. As a result, intracellular and extracellular calcium levels are tightly regulated by the human body. Calcium can do this because Ca²⁺ ions form stable coordination compounds with many organic compounds, especially proteins. It also forms compounds with a wide range of solubility, which can form a skeleton.

Calcium Probe

Fluo-3 and the related molecule Fluo3/AM can be used as a fluorescent indicator of intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺). Fluo-3 can be used for flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy using visible light excitation (compatible with argon laser sources operating at 488nm). When combined with calcium, the fluorescence intensity increases by about 40 times. Fura-2-penta-(acetoxymethyl) ester (Fura 2/AM), a fluorescent probe, is a membrane permeable derivative of the calcium chelating agent Fura-2. Fura 2/AM was used to monitor intracellular calcium levels under various physiological conditions. Membrane permeability derivative of Fura-2. Used to penetrate the chelating agent into cells. Enzymatic hydrolysis occurs in the cell, producing Fura-2 and remaining in the cell. Fura 2 is a UV-excitable proportional Ca²⁺ indicator and is the dye choice commonly used in ratio imaging microscopes. When combined with Ca²⁺, Fura 2 exhibits an absorption shift that can be observed by scanning an excitation spectrum between 300 and 400nm while monitoring emission at ~510 nm. In another ratio, the UV-excitable Ca²⁺ indicator Indo 1 is the dye of choice for flow cytometry and is excited using a single laser. When the dye is saturated with Ca²⁺, the maximum emission wavelength of Indo 1 is changed from ~475nm to ~400nm in the Ca²⁺ free medium. Fluo 3 uses the same typical excitation source as flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as drug screening applications. Fluo 3 is essentially non-fluorescent unless bound to Ca²⁺, but when combined with Ca²⁺, the fluorescence shows an approximately 40-fold increase. Calcein AM is an excellent indicator of cell viability. Compared with other cell viability indicators, living cells can better retain calcein, and calcein does not interfere with various immunological processes such as leukocyte chemotaxis or lymphocyte-target cell binding.

Reference:

Balk EM.; et al. Global dietary calcium intake among adults: a systematic review. Osteoporosis International. 2017,28 (12): 3315–3324.

Dyes Application

Probe Application

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