title: A rapid colorimetric assay of killer toxin activity in yeast.
abstract: The pale yellow redox indicator 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) is reduced to a dark blue end-product, MTT-Formazan, by the mitochondrial dehydrogenases of living cells. MTT reduction can be measured spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 570 nm and a method is described to assay the cidal activity of Williopsis mrakii killer toxin against sensitive cells of Candida glabrata. The MTT assay is rapid, quantitative and compares favourably with traditional plating techniques for the assessment of sensitive viability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of Abertay Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Button
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D005562:Formazans / Q000378:metabolism; D055646:Killer Factors, Yeast; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts / Q000378:metabolism; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005562:Formazans; D055646:Killer Factors, Yeast; D009183:Mycotoxins; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C079782:MTT formazan; C022616:thiazolyl blue