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Updated: May 29, 2026
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Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans
Published on: February 7, 2018
An expanded palette of genetically encoded Ca²⁺ indicators.
Yongxin Zhao1, Satoko Araki, Jiahui Wu
1Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2, Canada.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 10, 2011
Summary
Researchers developed new fluorescent protein indicators for calcium ion (Ca(2+)) imaging, expanding the available color palette beyond green. This breakthrough enables more versatile visualization of cellular signaling in various organisms and subcellular locations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Fluorescent proteins (FPs) engineered to respond to calcium ions (Ca(2+)) are vital for visualizing intracellular signaling.
- Current FP-based Ca(2+) indicators are limited to a single green color, restricting imaging capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To expand the color palette of single FP-based Ca(2+) indicators.
- To develop novel blue, improved green, and red intensiometric indicators.
- To create an emission ratiometric indicator with a significant ratio change for enhanced Ca(2+) detection.
Main Methods:
- Engineering of novel fluorescent protein chimeras.
- Development of intensiometric and ratiometric Ca(2+) indicators.
- Application of indicators in HeLa cells, neurons, and Caenorhabditis elegans.
Main Results:
- Successful development of blue, improved green, and red FP-based Ca(2+) indicators.
- Creation of an emission ratiometric indicator exhibiting an 11,000% ratio change.
- Demonstrated improved single-color Ca(2+) imaging in neurons and C. elegans.
- Enabled multi-compartment Ca(2+) imaging in HeLa cells.
- Facilitated simultaneous imaging of Ca(2+) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate using a dual-color system.
Conclusions:
- The new palette of FP-based Ca(2+) indicators significantly broadens the possibilities for multicolor and simultaneous imaging applications.
- These advanced indicators facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of Ca(2+) dynamics in diverse biological systems.
- This work heralds a new era of colorful and versatile Ca(2+) imaging in cell biology research.
