BAPTA

BAPTA (1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) is a calcium-specific chelator. The presence of four carboxylic acid functional groups makes possible the binding of two calcium ions. The extensive flexibility of the carboxylate ligands is critical to the coordination of calcium, or other metal ions. Recent studies have demonstrated that the BAPTA moiety actually binds to zinc ions with a substantially higher affinity than calcium. Interestingly, it appears that the assumption of the chelator's calcium preference may have contributed to evidence for the role of calcium ions as causal agents in ischemia (stroke), and brain trauma. Based on this evidence, pharmacological agents en masse have been designed and synthesized, yet have met with little success.