Calcium Release-Activated Channel (CRAC) Assays on the FLIPR® Tetra System: Evaluation of a Novel Fluorescent Calcium Reagent

Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels play an important role in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. CRAC channels are considered key for the activation of immune cells and abnormalities in ICRAC have been associated with certain primary immunodeficiencies, acute pancreatitis and abnormal cell proliferation. Hence the development of a reliable and sensitive CRAC channel assay may lead to the detection of novel therapeutic agents aimed at treating these human disorders. This study compares ratiometric Fura2 AM, non-ratiometric Fluo4 NW and the recently introduced FLIPR® Calcium 6 and Calcium 6-QF Assay Kits in two CRAC channel assays.