BCECF/AM (CAS 117464-70-7)

BCECF/AM, with the CAS number 117464-70-7, is a widely used fluorescent compound in the field of cellular biology for analyzing intracellular pH levels. The chemical is an acetoxymethyl ester derivative of BCECF, which stands for 2′,7′-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein. As an AM ester, BCECF/AM is non-polar and membrane-permeable, allowing it to diffuse passively across cell membranes into the intracellular environment. Once inside the cell, intracellular esterases cleave the AM ester groups, converting it into BCECF, which is polar and thus remains trapped within the cell. This conversion is crucial for its function as BCECF is highly fluorescent and its fluorescence emission can shift depending on the pH of its surroundings. This property of pH-dependent fluorescence change makes BCECF ideal for monitoring intracellular pH dynamics, a pivotal aspect of numerous cellular processes including cell metabolism, cell signaling, and ion transport. Researchers utilize BCECF/AM in live cell imaging to study pH regulation and alterations in various physiological and pathological conditions. The ability to quantitatively measure intracellular pH changes in real time provides valuable insights into the fundamental aspects of cellular function and is particularly useful in studies related to cellular stress, drug action, and disease pathology, all without the use of invasive techniques.