title: Evaluation of mag-fura-5, the new fluorescent indicator for free magnesium measurements.
abstract: The new fluorescent indicator, mag-fura-5, was evaluated for its ability to measure accurately physiological changes in cytosolic free magnesium. The apparent dissociation constants (Kd) of the fluorochrome for Mg2+, Mg2+/EGTA and Ca2+/EGTA solutions were 14.7 mM, 15.4 mM, and 1.8 mM respectively. The calculated difference in the fluorescence ratios and in the resulting pMg between the standards with low-Ca2+ or low H+ backgrounds and the corresponding samples with approximately physiological levels were not significant. In contrast, the changes due to an increased Ca2+ or H+ content were statistically significant, with mean pMg differences of 0.10 +/- 0.09 (P < 0.02) and 0.33 +/- 0.26 (P < 0.01) respectively. Repetitive measurements on 3 consecutive days yielded comparable data with differences not exceeding 4%. Because of the good reproducibility, it is suggested that the new fluorescent probe may be suitable for free cytosolic magnesium determinations in isolated cells.
authors: University of Bern, Institute of Physiology, Switzerland.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Illner
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: McGuigan
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Lüthi
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005470:Fluorometry; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007477:Ions; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007477:Ions; D006859:Hydrogen; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium