LifeActmCherry

LifeActmCherry is a genetically encoded calcium indicator that is widely used in neuroscience research to monitor calcium levels in living cells. It is a fusion protein consisting of a calcium-binding domain from calmodulin (CaM) and the monomeric red fluorescent protein mCherry. The CaM domain binds calcium ions with high affinity and specificity, causing a conformational change that alters the fluorescence properties of mCherry. This change in fluorescence can be detected using fluorescence microscopy, allowing researchers to visualize and quantify calcium dynamics in real-time.

LifeActmCherry is typically expressed in cells using viral vectors or other transfection methods. It is often targeted to specific cellular compartments, such as the cytoplasm or nucleus, by fusing it to appropriate targeting sequences. The protein is particularly useful for studying calcium signaling in neurons, as it allows researchers to monitor calcium transients associated with synaptic activity, action potentials, and other cellular events.

One of the advantages of LifeActmCherry is its high sensitivity and specificity for calcium ions. It has a dissociation constant (Kd) of approximately 1.5 µM, which is within the physiological range of calcium concentrations. Additionally, LifeActmCherry exhibits minimal photobleaching and phototoxicity, making it suitable for long-term imaging studies.

LifeActmCherry has been widely adopted in the research community due to its reliability and versatility. It has been used to study a variety of calcium-dependent processes, including neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and cellular excitability. Its ability to provide real-time, non-invasive measurements of calcium dynamics has significantly contributed to our understanding of calcium signaling in living cells.