High-Throughput Fluorescence Assays for Ion Channels and GPCRs

Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺- permeable ion channels as well as GPCRs linked to Ca²⁺ release are important drug targets. Accordingly, high-throughput fluorescence plate reader assays have contributed substantially to drug discovery efforts and pharmacological characterization of these receptors and ion channels. This chapter describes some of the basic properties of the fluorescent dyes facilitating these assay approaches as well as general methods for establishment and optimisation of fluorescence assays for ion channels and G_q-coupled GPCRs.