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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

In Vivo Functional Brain Imaging Approach Based on Bioluminescent Calcium Indicator GFP-aequorin
12:15

In Vivo Functional Brain Imaging Approach Based on Bioluminescent Calcium Indicator GFP-aequorin

Published on: January 8, 2016

Imaging calcium dynamics using targeted recombinant aequorins.

Tullio Pozzan, Rosario Rizzuto

    CSH Protocols
    |March 2, 2011
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Aequorin, a calcium (Ca2+) indicator, is regaining relevance for cellular research. Molecular techniques enable targeted expression, allowing precise measurement of Ca2+ dynamics in specific cell locations.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Cell Biology
    • Molecular Biology

    Background:

    • Aequorin, a bioluminescent protein from Aequorea genus, was historically used for intracellular calcium (Ca2+) measurement.
    • Fluorescent Ca2+ indicators have largely replaced aequorin due to ease of use.
    • Recombinant aequorin expression in mammalian cells offers new possibilities, overcoming limitations of microinjection.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the resurgence of aequorin as a Ca2+ indicator in modern cell biology.
    • To highlight the advantages of targeted aequorin expression for spatial Ca2+ dynamics monitoring.
    • To discuss the challenges and instrumentation for reliable aequorin-based measurements.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilizing molecular biology techniques for recombinant aequorin expression in mammalian cells.

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    Direct Imaging of ER Calcium with Targeted-Esterase Induced Dye Loading (TED)
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    Published on: May 7, 2013

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    Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

    In Vivo Functional Brain Imaging Approach Based on Bioluminescent Calcium Indicator GFP-aequorin
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    Published on: January 8, 2016

    Forward Genetic Screen Using Transgenic Calcium Reporter Aequorin to Identify Novel Targets in Calcium Signaling
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    Direct Imaging of ER Calcium with Targeted-Esterase Induced Dye Loading (TED)

    Published on: May 7, 2013

  • Targeting aequorin to specific subcellular compartments.
  • Investigating the luminescence properties of aequorin in response to Ca2+.

    • Main Results:

    • Recombinant aequorin expression allows for Ca2+ measurements without microinjection.
    • Targeting enables monitoring of Ca2+ dynamics with high spatial resolution.
    • The steep Ca2+ dependence of aequorin luminescence presents both advantages and disadvantages.

    Conclusions:

    • Aequorin remains a valuable tool for Ca2+ measurement, particularly with advancements in molecular biology.
    • Targeted aequorin offers unique capabilities for studying localized Ca2+ signaling.
    • Careful consideration of instrumentation and aequorin's properties is crucial for accurate results.