A rapid and sensitive method for the detection of mycoplasmas in infected cell cultures using 6-methyl purine deoxyriboside.
6MPDR causes the death of cells lightly infected with mycoplasmas. This is brought about by the action of the mycoplasmal enzyme adenosine phosphorylase which converts 6MPDR to highly toxic metabolites. If the medium conditions are adjusted to favour the growth of mycoplasmas by the addition of pig serum to the medium, infections as low as 1 mycoplasma per 200,000 cells can be detected within 7 days. This finding enables mycoplasma tests to be carried out rapidly and reliably by untrained personnel.
D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000032:analysis*; D003470:Culture Media; D003853:Deoxyribonucleosides; D006801:Humans; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000201:enzymology; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D011683:Purine-Nucleoside Phosphorylase / Q000032:analysis; D011687:Purines
D003470:Culture Media; D003853:Deoxyribonucleosides; D011684:Purine Nucleosides; D011687:Purines; C032885:6-methylpurine 2'-deoxyriboside; C016588:6-methylpurine; C019603:adenosine phosphorylase; D011683:Purine-Nucleoside Phosphorylase