Deleterious effects of calcium indicators within cells; an inconvenient truth. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bootman, Martin D.; Allman, Sarah; Rietdorf, Katja; Bultynck, Geert
• Is Part Of: Cell calcium. Volume 73(2018)
• Page Start: 82
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Calcium -- Indicator -- GECI -- BAPTA -- ATPase -- Signaling; Calcium -- Metabolism -- Periodicals; Vertebrates -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Calcium -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Cell physiology -- Periodicals; Calcium in the body -- Periodicals; 572.516
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2018.04.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-4160

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Ca 2+ signalling is widely studied using fluorescent indicators that can be readily loaded into living cells. Chemical Ca 2+ indicators can measure cellular Ca 2+ changes over long periods of time with sub-second resolution and microscopic precision. There are known problems with the use of chemical Ca 2+ indicators, which are largely overlooked. Genetically-encoded Ca 2+ indicators overcome some of the issues of using chemical Ca 2+ indicators, but may introduce problems of their own. Careful planning and control experiments may overcome the deleterious, off-target effects of chemical Ca 2+ indicators. Abstract: The study of cellular Ca 2+ signalling is indebted to Roger Tsien for the invention of fluorescent indicators that can be readily loaded into living cells and provide the means to measure cellular Ca 2+ changes over long periods of time with sub-second resolution and microscopic precision. However, a recent study [1 ] reminds us that as useful as these tools are they need to be employed with caution as there can be off-target effects. This article summarises these recent findings within the wider context of confounding issues that can be encountered when using chemical and genetically-encoded Ca 2+ indicators, and briefly discusses some approaches that may mitigate against misleading outcomes.