Biomaterial Database

A fluorescence assay to monitor vesicle fusion and lysis. 1982

D A Kendall, and R C MacDonald

An assay based on the fluorescent compound 2',7'-([bis(carboxymethyl)amino]methyl) fluorescein (calcein) has been developed to investigate vesicle fusion and lysis. The assay involves encapsulating the nonfluorescent Co2+ complex of calcein in one set of vesicles and EDTA in a second set. If fusion occurs, EDTA chelates Co2+, releasing calcein which may be assayed by means of its intense fluorescence. Leakage of either component of the reaction can be directly quantitated by titrating the external medium with the other component. This assay was used to investigate the effects of calcium ion on small phosphatidylserine vesicles, a system reported to undergo fusion. It revealed immediate and extensive leakage of the encapsulated contents; membrane fusion must, therefore, be simultaneously with or subsequent to, loss of vesicle integrity. This assay is convenient and flexible; it should be useful in a variety of investigations of membrane-bounded compartments.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007202	Indicators and Reagents	Substances used for the detection, identification, analysis, etc. of chemical, biological, or pathologic processes or conditions. Indicators are substances that change in physical appearance, e.g., color, at or approaching the endpoint of a chemical titration, e.g., on the passage between acidity and alkalinity. Reagents are substances used for the detection or determination of another substance by chemical or microscopical means, especially analysis. Types of reagents are precipitants, solvents, oxidizers, reducers, fluxes, and colorimetric reagents. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed, p301, p499)	Indicator,Reagent,Reagents,Indicators,Reagents and Indicators
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008081	Liposomes	Artificial, single or multilaminar vesicles (made from lecithins or other lipids) that are used for the delivery of a variety of biological molecules or molecular complexes to cells, for example, drug delivery and gene transfer. They are also used to study membranes and membrane proteins.	Niosomes,Transferosomes,Ultradeformable Liposomes,Liposomes, Ultra-deformable,Liposome,Liposome, Ultra-deformable,Liposome, Ultradeformable,Liposomes, Ultra deformable,Liposomes, Ultradeformable,Niosome,Transferosome,Ultra-deformable Liposome,Ultra-deformable Liposomes,Ultradeformable Liposome
D008856	Microscopy, Fluorescence	Microscopy of specimens stained with fluorescent dye (usually fluorescein isothiocyanate) or of naturally fluorescent materials, which emit light when exposed to ultraviolet or blue light. Immunofluorescence microscopy utilizes antibodies that are labeled with fluorescent dye.	Fluorescence Microscopy,Immunofluorescence Microscopy,Microscopy, Immunofluorescence,Fluorescence Microscopies,Immunofluorescence Microscopies,Microscopies, Fluorescence,Microscopies, Immunofluorescence
D010718	Phosphatidylserines	Derivatives of PHOSPHATIDIC ACIDS in which the phosphoric acid is bound in ester linkage to a SERINE moiety.	Serine Phosphoglycerides,Phosphatidyl Serine,Phosphatidyl Serines,Phosphatidylserine,Phosphoglycerides, Serine,Serine, Phosphatidyl,Serines, Phosphatidyl
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002417	Cattle	Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor.	Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D003035	Cobalt	A trace element that is a component of vitamin B12. It has the atomic symbol Co, atomic number 27, and atomic weight 58.93. It is used in nuclear weapons, alloys, and pigments. Deficiency in animals leads to anemia; its excess in humans can lead to erythrocytosis.	Cobalt-59,Cobalt 59
D004492	Edetic Acid	A chelating agent that sequesters a variety of polyvalent cations such as CALCIUM. It is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing and as a food additive.	EDTA,Edathamil,Edetates,Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid,Tetracemate,Calcium Disodium Edetate,Calcium Disodium Versenate,Calcium Tetacine,Chelaton 3,Chromium EDTA,Copper EDTA,Coprin,Dicobalt EDTA,Disodium Calcitetracemate,Disodium EDTA,Disodium Ethylene Dinitrilotetraacetate,Distannous EDTA,Edetate Disodium Calcium,Edetic Acid, Calcium Salt,Edetic Acid, Calcium, Sodium Salt,Edetic Acid, Chromium Salt,Edetic Acid, Dipotassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Disodium Salt,Edetic Acid, Disodium Salt, Dihydrate,Edetic Acid, Disodium, Magnesium Salt,Edetic Acid, Disodium, Monopotassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Magnesium Salt,Edetic Acid, Monopotassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Edetic Acid, Potassium Salt,Edetic Acid, Sodium Salt,Ethylene Dinitrilotetraacetate,Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid,Gallium EDTA,Magnesium Disodium EDTA,N,N'-1,2-Ethanediylbis(N-(carboxymethyl)glycine),Potassium EDTA,Stannous EDTA,Versenate,Versene,Acid, Edetic,Acid, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic,Acid, Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic,Calcitetracemate, Disodium,Dinitrilotetraacetate, Disodium Ethylene,Dinitrilotetraacetate, Ethylene,Disodium Versenate, Calcium,EDTA, Chromium,EDTA, Copper,EDTA, Dicobalt,EDTA, Disodium,EDTA, Distannous,EDTA, Gallium,EDTA, Magnesium Disodium,EDTA, Potassium,EDTA, Stannous,Edetate, Calcium Disodium,Ethylene Dinitrilotetraacetate, Disodium,Tetacine, Calcium,Versenate, Calcium Disodium