Figure 1.
A schematic plot of a Nernstian dye equilibration curve. Equilibration time, τeq, is defined as the time at which the dye internalized by the cell, dye Iin, reaches 90% of its final value. Vm,0 and Vm,dye indicate the membrane potential before and after the addition of the dye, respectively. Iback is the fluorescence intensity of the background. Inset: cartoon showing the mechanism of accumulation of cationic dyes, which accumulate more in cells with a more negative Vm. To see this figure in color, go online.