Fura-2, Pentapotassium Salt Fluorescent Calcium Indicator

To study the roles of calcium, a key intracellular messenger in cells, it is essential to quantitatively monitor its concentration. The most widely used method of Ca2+ detection is the use of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators. Fura-2, pentapotassium salt is a membrane-impermeant ratiometric calcium indicator. It can be loaded into cells via microinjection or scrape loading. Fura-2 fluorescence can be detected using flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, or certain fluoresence microplate readers. Upon calcium binding, the fluorescent excitation maximum of the indicator undergoes a blue shift from 363 nm (Ca2+-free) to 335 nm (Ca2+-saturated), while the fluorescence emission maximum is relatively unchanged at ~510 nm. A major use of Fura-2 is in drug discovery, for measuring intracellular calcium mobilization after activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and calcium channels.

For research use only. Not intended for therapeutic or diagnostic use. Use of all products is subject to our terms and conditions, which can be viewed on our website.