Fluo-4 AM - 20 µL
Probes & Dyes : Probes for Ca2+ Tracing The product sho µLd be , stored at -20°C away from light and moisture.
Fluo-4 AM is a highly sensitive, cell-permeant fluorescent dye used for detecting intracellular calcium levels in live cells. Once inside the cell, Fluo-4 AM is cleaved by intracellular esterases, converting it into its fluorescent form.
Fluo-4 AM is a highly sensitive, cell-permeant fluorescent dye used for detecting intracellular calcium levels in live cells. Once inside the cell, Fluo-4 AM is cleaved by intracellular esterases, converting it into its fluorescent form.
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Molecular Properties:
- Chemical Structure: Fluo-4 AM is a derivative of the Fluo-4 dye, where the "AM" (acetoxymethyl ester) group allows the dye to permeate the cell membrane. Once inside the cell, the ester group is cleaved by intracellular esterases, leaving the fluorescent form of the dye, which binds to calcium ions.
- Fluorescence:
- Fluo-4 AM exhibits a strong fluorescence signal upon binding to calcium. The emission maxima of Fluo-4 are around 515 nm when excited at 494 nm. This makes it highly suitable for detection using common fluorescence microscopes, plate readers, or flow cytometers.
- It is known for its high signal-to-noise ratio, providing clearer and more reliable results compared to other calcium indicators.
- Calcium Binding: The dye binds specifically to calcium ions (Ca²⁺), and this binding causes a significant increase in fluorescence. The degree of fluorescence correlates with the concentration of free calcium in the cytoplasm, allowing real-time measurement of cellular calcium changes.
- Cell Permeability: The AM ester group allows Fluo-4 to easily cross the cell membrane in its uncharged, non-fluorescent form. After the dye enters the cell, esterases cleave the ester group, transforming the dye into its fluorescent form, which is retained inside the cell. This feature is crucial for live-cell imaging and studies of intracellular processes.
Key Advantages:
- Live Cell Compatibility: Since Fluo-4 AM can be used in live-cell assays, it allows for real-time monitoring of intracellular events without harming the cells.
- High Sensitivity: Its high fluorescence intensity and low background noise lead to more accurate readings of calcium levels, even in low-abundance or transient signaling events.
- Non-invasive: The dye does not require cell fixation, enabling dynamic studies of cellular function and calcium dynamics.
Fluo-4 AM has become a standard tool in cellular biology, pharmacology, and biomedical research, enabling scientists to explore calcium-based signaling networks with precision and ease.