Because the BODIPY FL fluorophore is nonpolar and relatively small, labeled ligands typically have receptor-binding properties that are superior to those of fluorescein derivatives. BODIPY FL histamine is a fluorescent ligand that may be useful for detecting histamine receptors by confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. BODIPY FL histamine has been used as a labeling reagent for detection of phosphate esters such as nucleotides by capillary electrophoresis (CE-LIF).