Fluo-4 Calcium Imaging Kit (Invitrogen™)

The Fluo-4 Calcium Imaging Kit has been designed for the specific detection of calcium flux by imaging applications. Upon binding of calcium, a large increase (>100-fold) in fluorescence emission can be detected. To minimize time to experimental results, this kit contains all of the reagents necessary for the detection of calcium flux from live cells.

Learn more about ion indicators including calcium, potassium, pH, and membrane potential indicators ›

Features of the Fluo-4 Calcium Imaging Kit include:

• Emission from the calcium-bound Fluo-4 dye (ex/em 494/506 nm) can be detected with standard FITC filters
• Upon binding calcium, fluorescence intensity increases >100-fold
• K_d for Ca²⁺ in buffer: ∼335 nM
• Contains all necessary reagents, reducing time to experimental results
• Exhibits fluorescence increase upon binding calcium with little shift in wavelength

All Necessary Reagents Included
The Fluo-4 Calcium Imaging Kit contains all of the necessary components for the detection of calcium flux by imaging applications. In addition to Fluo-4 dye, the kit contains PowerLoad™ Concentrate, a 10X Neuro Background Suppressor solution, and probenecid.

Labeled calcium indicators, such as Fluo-4 dye, are molecules that exhibit an increase in fluorescence upon binding calcium. Fluo-4 is an analog of Fluo-3, with two key chemical differences that result in an increased fluorescence excitation at 488 nm and consequently higher fluorescence signal levels (>100-fold increase in fluorescence intensity upon binding calcium). For ease of use, the Fluo-4 dye is supplied in a ready-to-use solution.

For easy cell loading, the Fluo-4 Calcium Imaging Kit includes PowerLoad™ Concentrate. Due to the unique nature of the PowerLoad™ solution, it can be used in the prescence of complete culture media, thus reducing the negative effects of replacing media or loading in serum-free media.

Baseline autofluorescence caused by components within growth media can be greatly reduced by the addition of the included Neuro Background Suppressor. This solution has been specifically formulated for use with neuronal cells and will not cause osmotic shock. Additionally, it has been used successfully with many different cell types to efficiently suppress background fluorescence without sacrificing the specific cellular fluorescence generated in the assay.

A proprietary, water-soluble probenecid (which is commonly used to inhibit cellular transport and thus reduces the baseline signal) is also supplied with the Fluo-4 Calcium Imaging Kit.