Real-Time Observations of Intracellular Mg2+ Signaling and Waves in a Single Living Ventricular Myocyte Cell

Seungah Lee†, Hee Gu Lee‡ and Seong Ho Kang*†
Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Physics and Chemistry (RINPAC), Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, South Korea, and Cellomics Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 305-806, South Korea
Anal. Chem., 2009, 81 (2), pp 538–542
DOI: 10.1021/ac8013324
Publication Date (Web): December 16, 2008
Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society
†

Chonbuk National University.

,
‡

Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology.

,
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +82-63-270-3421. Fax: +82-63-270-3408. E-mail: shkang@chonbuk.ac.kr.

Abstract

Despite the important regulatory role of Mg2+ in metabolic pathways, its underlying mechanism is not completely understood at the single-cell level. This study examined the propagation and dynamics of Mg2+ signaling across the cell membrane by employing the real-time visualization of intracellular Mg2+ waves in living ventricular myocytes using a combination of total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and Nomarski differential interference contrast. Real-time Mg2+ waves and sparks in a living cell membrane were observed using a fluorescent Mg2+ indicator (mag-fluo-4-AM) in the concentration range of 5 aM−5 μM. The intracellular locations of the fluorescent Mg2+ indicator were confirmed by adding Na+ATP. The Mg2+ sparks and waves showed random temporal propagation patterns in nonhomogeneous substructures. These results show that spatiotemporal intracellular Mg2+ signaling information can be obtained for individual living cells.

View: Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links

Tools

History

  • Published In Issue January 15, 2009
  • Article ASAPDecember 16, 2008
  • Received: June 30, 2008
    Accepted: October 30, 2008

Recommend & Share

Related Content

Other ACS content by these authors: