Potassium and thallium indicators, which exhibit an increase in fluorescence upon binding K⁺ or Tl⁺, can be used to measure the activity of potassium channels and transporters.
Because expanding our knowledge of K⁺ channels and K⁺ transporters is of such intense interest to both basic and drug discovery researchers, a facile means to measure their activity is critical. Unfortunately, measuring intracellular and extracellular K⁺ levels and dynamics using fluorescent indicators is challenging. In most cells at rest, cytoplasmic K⁺ concentrations are above 100 mM while Na⁺ concentrations are in the 3 – 5 mM range. Conversely, extracellular K⁺ concentrations are typically in the 3-5 mM range while Na⁺ concentrations are above 100 mM. Therefore, an effective K⁺sensor needs to be able to discriminate between K⁺, Na⁺ and other common physiological cations while possessing a K⁺ affinity appropriate to detect physiologically relevant changes in K⁺ concentrations. Find more information about our potassium selective indicators here.
While our ION Potassium Green (IPG) family of dyes are excellent fluorescent K⁺ indicators, the challenges of discriminating between K⁺ and Na⁺ are not trivial, and together with the often modest changes in intracellular or extracellular K⁺ results in relatively small signals compared to those observed with Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent indicators. In many instances, the thallium flux offers a better alternative to using K⁺-sensitive fluorescent indicators.
The Tl⁺ flux assay takes advantage of a thallium selective fluorescent indicators, Thallos and Thallos Gold, and the fact that K⁺ channels and K⁺ transporters readily accept the Tl⁺ ion as a K⁺ surrogate. When Tl⁺ is added to the outside of cells loaded with a thallium indicator, Tl⁺ entering cells through K⁺ channels and K⁺ transporters results a dramatic increase in fluorescence. Today, the thallium flux assay is the gold standard for large-scale high-throughput screening (HTS) of K⁺ channels and potassium transporters.
(EX 490 nm, EM 515 nm) High-throughput, no wash thallium flux assay. An optimal solution for measuring the activity of potassium channels and transporters, as well as sodium channels, non-selective cation channels, and GPCRs. 10 plates
(EX 490 nm, EM 515 nm) A thallium flux assay adaptation designed to work with standard plate readers, microscopes, flow cytometers, and more, for measuring flux through potassium (K⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and non-selective cation channels and their effectors including transporters and GCPRs. 10 plates
The first assay solution for single-cell, high-throughput measurements of potassium (K⁺) channel activity. Powered by our patent-pending Snapshot assay technology, ion channel modulation generates a long-lasting signal so you can easily detect and quantify changes in ion channel or transporter activity using Flow Cytometry. This kit may also work for sodium (Na⁺) channels, non-selective cation channels, and some Na⁺ or K⁺ transporters. 200 assays
(EX 530 nm, EM 550 nm) Brilliant Thallium Gold includes Thallos Gold – ION’s gold fluorescent thallium (Tl+) indicator. Red-shifted excitation and emission enable multiplexing with GFP-expressing cells or other green fluorescent indicators. Useful for fluorescence-based potassium channel assays and for studying a wide variety of monovalent cation channels (sodium channels), transporters, and GPCRs.
Multi-instrument compatible assay solution for well plate-based, high-throughput measurements of thallium (Tl⁺) flux, through potassium (K⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and non-selective cation channels, as well as some Na⁺ or K⁺ transporters. Our patent-pending Snapshot technology generates a long-lasting signal so you can easily detect and quantify changes in ion channel or transporter activity on most fluorescence-capable instrments. The inclusion of Thallos Gold AM, our red-shifted thallium indicator, makes this kit the ideal option when using GFP-expressing cells to run potassium channel assays.
Although the AM forms of ION’s fluorescent K⁺ and Tl⁺ indicators readily cross the plasma membrane, there are other factors that can affect how well the indicators load into cells. Because AM forms of the indicators are quite hydrophobic, it is common to use the non-ionic surfactant, Pluronic F-127, to improve their solubility in aqueous solution thus improving their loading into cells. Pluronic F-127 at the concentrations employed for loading indicators into cells is generally well tolerated. While Pluronic F-127 isn’t absolutely essential for loading most fluorescent K⁺ and Tl⁺ indicators into cells, it is highly recommended.
Another factor that can affect cell loading and intracellular localization is the presence of transport proteins capable of transporting many ion-sensitive, fluorescent indicators. In many cell types, the activity of these transporters can result in compartmentalization of the indicators into intracellular compartments as well as extrusion of the indicators outside of the cell. Both of these processes can dramatically reduce the signal-to-background levels and in some cell types (e.g. CHO cells), make adequate loading of K⁺-selective fluorescent indicators nearly impossible. Fortunately, inhibitors of these transport proteins can be an effective means of improving cytoplasmic localization and indicator retention. ION offers a convenient, 100X ION-Pro inhibitor solution that may be used in conjunction with any of our K⁺-sensitive fluorescent indicators.
TRS is a masking solution that is composed of a membrane impermeable fluorescence quencher that reduces extracellular fluorescence. Inclusion of this reagent ensures the fluorescence you are measuring is coming from within your cells. Use of this reagent is not recommended for cell suspensions.
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Image | Products | Excitation | Emission | Kd | Price | Quantity | Action |
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Brilliant Thallium Gold
A potassium channel assay, and so much more. Brilliant Thallium Gold includes Thallos Gold - ION’s gold fluorescent (Ex/Em = 528/552 nm) thallium (Tl+) indicator. Red-shifted excitation and emission enable multiplexing with GFP-expressing cells or other green fluorescent indicators. Useful for fluorescence-based potassium (K+) channel assays and for studying a wide variety of monovalent cation channels (sodium channels), transporters, and GPCRs. |
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$211.00 – $473.00
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Brilliant Thallium Gold Snapshot
Brilliant Thallium Gold Snapshot is a multi-instrument compatible assay solution for well plate-based, high-throughput measurements of thallium flux through potassium, sodium, and non-selective cation channels, as well as some Na+ or K+ transporters. Our patent-pending Snapshot technology generates a long-lasting signal so you can easily detect and quantify changes in ion channel or transporter activity on most fluorescence-capable instruments. The inclusion of Thallos Gold AM, our red-shifted thallium indicator, makes this kit the ideal option when using GFP-expressing cells to run potassium channel assays. |
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$211.00 – $473.00
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Flow Cytometric Potassium Channel Assay
ION Biosciences’ Flow Cytometric Potassium Channel Assay is the first assay solution for single-cell, high-throughput measurements of potassium channel activity. Powered by our patent-pending Snapshot assay technology, ion channel modulation generates a long-lasting signal so you can easily detect and quantify changes in ion channel or transporter activity using Flow Cytometry. This kit may also work for sodium channels, non-selective cation channels, and some Na+ or K+ transporters.
200 assays. |
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$473.00
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Brilliant Thallium Snapshot
An endpoint-compatible potassium channel assay. ION's Brilliant Thallium Snapshot kit is a thallium flux assay adaptation designed to work with standard plate readers, microscopes, flow cytometers, and more, for measuring flux through potassium (K⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and non-selective cation channels, transporters, and their effectors, including GPCRs. |
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$211.00 – $473.00
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Brilliant Thallium
A potassium channel assay, and so much more. ION’s high-throughput, no wash thallium (Tl⁺) flux assay is an optimal solution for measuring the activity of potassium (K⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and non-selective cation channels and their effectors including transporters and GPCRs. |
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$211.00 – $3,597.00
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