Publications
Nature methodsSep 2024 DOI:
10.1038/s41592-024-02411-6

A modular chemigenetic calcium indicator for multiplexed in vivo functional imaging

Farrants, Helen; Shuai, Yichun; Lemon, William C; Monroy Hernandez, Christian; Zhang, Deng; Yang, Shang; Patel, Ronak; Qiao, Guanda; Frei, Michelle S; Plutkis, Sarah E; Grimm, Jonathan B; Hanson, Timothy L; Tomaska, Filip; Turner, Glenn C; Stringer, Carsen; Keller, Philipp J; Beyene, Abraham G; Chen, Yao; Liang, Yajie; Lavis, Luke D; Schreiter, Eric R
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Oligo Pools
Abstract
Genetically encoded fluorescent calcium indicators allow cellular-resolution recording of physiology. However, bright, genetically targetable indicators that can be multiplexed with existing tools in vivo are needed for simultaneous imaging of multiple signals. Here we describe WHaloCaMP, a modular chemigenetic calcium indicator built from bright dye-ligands and protein sensor domains. Fluorescence change in WHaloCaMP results from reversible quenching of the bound dye via a strategically placed tryptophan. WHaloCaMP is compatible with rhodamine dye-ligands that fluoresce from green to near-infrared, including several that efficiently label the brain in animals. When bound to a near-infrared dye-ligand, WHaloCaMP shows a 7× increase in fluorescence intensity and a 2.1-ns increase in fluorescence lifetime upon calcium binding. We use WHaloCaMP1a to image Ca2+ responses in vivo in flies and mice, to perform three-color multiplexed functional imaging of hundreds of neurons and astrocytes in zebrafish larvae and to quantify Ca2+ concentration using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM).
Product Used
Oligo Pools

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