Photo-physical properties of Ca2+-indicator dyes suitable for two-photon fluorescence-lifetime recordings

J Microsc. 2007 Mar;225(Pt 3):209-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.2007.01746.x.

Abstract

We analyzed the suitability of various Ca2+-indicator dyes for quantitative two-photon fluorescence-lifetime imaging. Although fura-2, fluo-3, BTC and calcein did not show useful Ca2+-dependent lifetime changes, calcium orange, calcium green-1, oregon green-2 and -5N, as well as magnesium green allowed to quantify the Ca2+-free and Ca2+-bound dye fractions by a double-exponential lifetime analysis. For the latter dyes, we derived calibration formalisms that correct for lifetime distortions by dye impurities and Ca2+-dependent extinction coefficients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't