Protocol to quantify total intracellular magnesium in small samples using a fluorescent plate reader and fluorescent dye.

Abstract

Assessing total magnesium (Mg) becomes challenging when cell quantities are minimal. Here, we present a protocol to quantify total intracellular Mg in samples with as few as several thousand cells using a fluorescent plate reader and the fluorescent dye diaza-18-crown-6-hydroxyquinoline-5 (DCHQ5). We describe steps for reagent setup, sample preparation, and assay running. We then detail procedures for sample analysis. This protocol has been validated on different cell lines with data from the literature.