Calcium Mobilizing Agents
Calcium Mobilizing Agents - Related Videos
11:49
Characterization of G Protein-coupled Receptors by a Fluorescence-based Calcium Mobilization Assay
0 Views •
Cited by 26 •
2014
The here described fluorescence-based calcium mobilization assay is a medium-throughput reverse pharmacology screening system for the identification of functionally activating ligand(s) of orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
10:19
Reducing Agents
0 Views •
2023
Source: Vy M. Dong and Daniel Kim, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA Controlling the reactivity and selectivity during the synthesis of a molecule is very important criteria for chemists. This has led to the development of many reagents that allow chemists to pick and choose reagents suitable for a given task. Quite often, a balance between reactivity and selectivity needs to be achieved. This experiment will use IR spectroscopy to monitor the reaction and to...
01:20
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
0 Views •
2024
Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, block calcium channels. They primarily affect the heart, slowing the conduction in calcium-dependent tissues like the SA and AV nodes. These drugs manage reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and reduce ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
07:13
Characterizing Modulators of Protease-Activated Receptors with a Calcium Mobilization Assay Using a Plate Reader
0 Views •
Cited by 1 •
2024
An improved protocol for a calcium mobilization assay with endothelial cells, used to identify ligands of protease-activated receptors (PARs), has been developed. The new protocol reduces total assay time by 90-120 min and yields reproducible concentration-response curves.
11:27
Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
0 Views •
Cited by 5 •
2016
This protocol describes the preparation and characterization of a dendrimeric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that carries cyclen-based macrocyclic chelates coordinating paramagnetic gadolinium ions. In a series of MRI experiments in vitro, this agent produced an amplified MRI signal when compared to the commercially available monomeric analogue.
FAQs
Researchers can compare agents that promote calcium entry across the plasma membrane with those that release calcium from intracellular stores, including the endoplasmic reticulum. Testing these effects separately, or using an agent capable of both actions, helps identify the source of a cytosolic calcium increase. This distinction clarifies which calcium pathway contributes to a cellular response.
The duration of a calcium increase provides information about how cells encode signals. A transient elevation may indicate a short-lived signaling event, whereas a sustained increase can support prolonged activation of calcium-dependent pathways. Comparing these patterns helps researchers relate calcium dynamics to outcomes such as secretion, muscle contraction, gene regulation, or cell survival.
Increased free calcium activates calcium-binding proteins and enzymes, which then connect the signal to downstream cellular processes. The resulting responses may include changes in signal transduction, contraction, secretion, gene regulation, or survival. Examining which response follows calcium elevation helps reveal how calcium functions as an intracellular messenger rather than merely measuring its concentration.
Dose and exposure timing should be controlled so that researchers can compare the magnitude and duration of calcium responses across conditions. These variables are especially important when distinguishing calcium influx from intracellular release or when determining whether a response is transient or sustained. Careful control improves interpretation of how calcium dynamics influence the selected cellular outcome.
These experiments can examine calcium-dependent signal transduction, muscle contraction, secretion, gene regulation, and cell survival. The same general approach can therefore connect an induced calcium change with different biological outputs in cells. Researchers can focus on the response that follows the calcium elevation and assess how its timing or persistence relates to that process.
They provide a controlled way to challenge cells with a calcium signal and observe the consequences in a biological context. By varying whether calcium enters from outside the cell or is released from internal stores, researchers can investigate pathway contributions and downstream responses. This supports analysis of how cells translate calcium changes into coordinated physiological activities.