Ca2+ imaging in plants using genetically encoded Yellow Cameleon Ca2+ indicators

Cold Spring Harb Protoc. 2013 Aug 1;2013(8):700-3. doi: 10.1101/pdb.top066183.

Abstract

Temporally and spatially defined changes in cellular calcium (Ca(2+)) concentration represent stimulus-specific signals and regulate a myriad of biological processes. The development of ratiometric Ca(2+) reporter proteins like Yellow Cameleons (YCs) has greatly advanced our ability to analyze Ca(2+) dynamics in vivo with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. In plants, the application of these Ca(2+) reporter proteins has been pioneered for the investigation of Ca(2+) dynamics in guard cells, and recently their use has been extended to other single-cell models like growing pollen tubes and root hairs. However, in plants, the use of YC reporter proteins has largely remained restricted to the investigation of cytoplasmic alterations of Ca(2+) concentrations. Here, we provide an introduction to current methods for imaging Ca(2+) dynamics with increasing sophistication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / analysis*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cations, Divalent / analysis
  • Cytological Techniques / methods*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism*
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Plants / chemistry*
  • Staining and Labeling / methods
  • Transgenes*

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cations, Divalent
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • yellow cameleon
  • Calcium