title: The use of fluorescent dyes to measure membrane potentials: a response.
abstract: The use of fluorescent cyanine dyes to estimate membrane potential in cell suspensions has been considered. Several problems related tot he application of the dyes have been reviewed. These problems include: 1) alteration of the membrane potential (Em) and factors involved in establishing Em by the dyes themselves, 2) the effects of altered energy metabolism on the fluorescent response of the dyes and on Em, and 3) calibration of dye fluorescence. Recent reports that advocate the use of the fluorescent dyes are misleading.
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002232:Carbocyanines; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006019:Glycolysis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007473:Ion Channels; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011804:Quinolines; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014634:Valinomycin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002232:Carbocyanines; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007473:Ion Channels; D011804:Quinolines; D014634:Valinomycin; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium