Nanoparticle PEBBLE sensors for quantitative nanomolar imaging of intracellular free calcium ions.

ABSTRACT: Ca(2+) is a universal second messenger and plays a major role in intracellular signaling, metabolism, and a wide range of cellular processes. To date, one of the most successful approaches for intracellular Ca(2+) measurement involves the introduction of optically sensitive Ca(2+) indicators into living cells, combined with digital imaging microscopy. However, the use of free Ca(2+) indicators for intracellular sensing and imaging has several limitations, such as nonratiometric measurement for the most-sensitive indicators, cytotoxicity of the indicators, interference from nonspecific binding caused by cellular biomacromolecules, challenging calibration, and unwanted sequestration of the indicator molecules. These problems are minimized when the Ca(2+) indicators are encapsulated inside po

SUBMITTER: Si D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3264794 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature