GCaMP

GCaMP is a genetically encoded <a href="/facts/Calcium_imaging/3Y85smYK">calcium indicator</a> (GECI) initially developed in 2001 by Junichi Nakai. It is a synthetic fusion of <a href="/facts/Green_fluorescent_protein/6nWDMhSC">green fluorescent protein</a> (GFP), <a href="/facts/Calmodulin/CbEnEYHE">calmodulin</a> (CaM), and M13, a <a href="/facts/Peptide/C4ltc7UG">peptide</a> sequence from <a href="/facts/Myosin_light-chain_kinase/cgtPHhMG">myosin light-chain kinase</a>. When bound to <a href="/facts/Calcium_in_biology/wgUxKej5">Ca2+</a>, GCaMP fluoresces green with a peak excitation wavelength of 480 nm and a peak emission wavelength of 510 nm. It is used in biological research to measure intracellular Ca2+ levels both <a href="/facts/In_vitro/evp3hAX6">in vitro</a> and <a href="/facts/In_vivo/kWcWyl6f">in vivo</a> using <a href="/facts/Viral_vector/sqkIdcqo">virally</a> <a href="/facts/Transfection/R94fLSQF">transfected</a> or <a href="/facts/Transgene/8DvIYSGt">transgenic</a> cell and animal lines. The genetic sequence encoding GCaMP can be inserted under the control of <a href="/facts/Promoter_(genetics)/YDYBzLfg">promoters</a> exclusive to certain cell types, allowing for cell-type specific expression of GCaMP. Since Ca2+ is a <a href="/facts/Second_messenger_system/J0eEENxQ">second messenger</a> that contributes to many cellular mechanisms and <a href="/facts/Signal_transduction/1bs0Me6w">signaling pathways</a>, GCaMP allows researchers to quantify the activity of Ca2+-based mechanisms and study the role of Ca2+ ions in biological processes of interest.

GCaMP open-in-new

GCaMP