Improved fluorescent probes for the measurement of rapid changes in membrane potential

To improve the quality of fluorescent voltage-sensitive probes twenty new styryl dyes were synthesized. Some of the new probes are significantly better than any used in the past. A signal-to-noise ratio of 90 root mean square (rms) noise was obtained for an optical recording of action potentials from neuroblastoma cells maintained in monolayer culture. The fluorescence fractional change of the optical signal is as large as 14%/100 mV. Photodynamic damage and bleaching are much less significant with the new probes. These fluorescent probes can be used to measure small and rapid changes in membrane potential from single cells maintained in monolayer cultures, from single cells in invertebrate ganglia, from their arborization, and from other preparations. The optical measurement can be made with a standard fluorescent microscope equipped with DC mercury illumination. Guidelines for the design of even better fluorescent probes and more efficient instruments are suggested.