Use of aequorin-based indicators for monitoring Ca2+ in acidic organelles

Producción Científica
Over the last years, there is accumulating evidence that acidic organelles can accumulate and release Ca2+ upon cell activation. Hence, reliable recording of Ca2+ dynamics in these compartments is essential for understanding the physiopathological aspects of acidic organelles. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) are valuable tools to monitor Ca2+ in specific locations, although their use in acidic compartments is challenging due to the pH sensitivity of most available fluorescent GECIs. By contrast, bioluminescent GECIs have a combination of features (marginal pH sensitivity, low background, no phototoxicity, no photobleaching, high dynamic range and tunable affinity) that render them advantageous to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in acidic compartments. This article reviews the use of bioluminescent aequorin-based GECIs targeted to acidic compartments. A need for more measurements in highly acidic compartments is identified.
Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2020-116086RB-I00 )
Junta de Castilla y León (Ref. CLU- 2019-02)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Reino Unido (BB/T015853/1 y BB/W01551X/1)