Staining the Cytoplasmic Ca2+ with Fluo-4/AM in Apple Pulp

J Vis Exp. 2021 Nov 6:(177). doi: 10.3791/62526.

Abstract

Cytosolic Ca2+ plays a key role in plant development. Calcium imaging is the most versatile method to detect dynamic changes in Ca2+ in the cytoplasm. In this study, we obtained viable protoplasts of pulp cells by enzymatic hydrolysis. Isolated protoplasts were incubated with the small-molecule fluorescent reagent (Fluo-4/AM) for 30 min at 37 °C. The fluorescent probes successfully stained cytosolic Ca2+ but did not accumulate in vacuoles. La3+, a Ca2+ channel blocker, decreased cytoplasmic fluorescence intensity. These results suggest that Fluo-4/AM can be used to detect changes in cytosolic Ca2+ in the fruit flesh. In summary, we present a method to effectively isolate protoplasts from flesh cells of the fruit and detect Ca2+ by loading a small-molecule calcium fluorescent reagent in the cytoplasm of pulp cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Aniline Compounds
  • Calcium*
  • Cytoplasm
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Malus*
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Xanthenes

Substances

  • Aniline Compounds
  • Fluo 4
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Xanthenes
  • Calcium