BAPTA-tetramethyl Ester (CAS 125367-34-2)

BAPTA-tetramethyl ester, a derivative of the well-known calcium chelator BAPTA, is specifically designed for efficient permeation across cell membranes, facilitating the intracellular study of calcium dynamics. Once inside the cell, esterases cleave the tetramethyl groups, converting it into its active form, BAPTA, which binds calcium ions with high affinity and selectivity. This conversion is crucial for its application in live-cell imaging and physiological experiments where manipulation and measurement of intracellular calcium levels are required to understand calcium′s role as a secondary messenger in various cellular processes. In research, BAPTA-tetramethyl ester has been instrumental in studying transient calcium fluxes within cells, crucial for signaling pathways that govern functions such as muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and enzyme activation. By effectively buffering intracellular calcium concentrations, it allows scientists to explain the specific contributions of calcium ions to cellular events and to dissect the pathways through which cells use calcium signaling to respond to external stimuli. This chemical′s ability to modulate calcium levels has also made it a valuable tool in neurobiology, where precise control over calcium is necessary to study synaptic activity and neuronal communication under physiological and pathological conditions.