Ultrasensitive imaging of Ca2+ dynamics in pancreatic acinar cells of yellow cameleon-nano transgenic mice

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Nov 3;15(11):19971-86. doi: 10.3390/ijms151119971.

Abstract

Yellow Cameleons are genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators in which cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins and calmodulin work together as a fluorescence (Förster) resonance energy transfer Ca2+-sensor probe. To achieve ultrasensitive Ca2+ imaging for low resting Ca2+ or small Ca2+ transients in various organs, we generated a transgenic mouse line expressing the highest-sensitive genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator (Yellow Cameleon-Nano 15) in the whole body. We then focused on the mechanism of exocytotic events mediated by intracellular Ca2+ signaling in acinar cells of the mice with an agonist and observed them by two-photon excitation microscopy. In the results, two-photon excitation imaging of Yellow Cameleon-Nano 15 successfully visualized intracellular Ca2+ concentration under stimulation with the agonist at nanomolar levels. This is the first demonstration for application of genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators to pancreatic acinar cells. We also simultaneously observed exocytotic events and an intracellular Ca2+ concentration under in vivo condition. Yellow Cameleon-Nano 15 mice are healthy and no significant deteriorative effect was observed on physiological response regarding the pancreatic acinar cells. The dynamic range of 165% was calculated from Rmax and Rmin values under in vivo condition. The mice will be useful for ultrasensitive Ca2+ imaging in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / pharmacology
  • Acinar Cells / cytology
  • Acinar Cells / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Ionophores / pharmacology
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Exocytosis / drug effects
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton
  • Pancreas / cytology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Calcium Ionophores
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • yellow cameleon
  • Acetylcholine
  • Calcium