[Detection of cell apoptosis by MTT assay].
OBJECTIVE
To study the feasibility of using MTT assay to detect cell apoptosis.


METHODS
K562 cells were grown in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% calf serum and 4 micromol/L arsenic trioxide. Apoptosis was induced in the cultured cells by As2O3, and the cells were detected with optical microscope, DNA gel electrophoresis and MTT staining respectively.


RESULTS
MTT staining could also accurately detect cell apoptosis, by which the apoptotic cells were easily distinguished from normal cells and dead cells.


CONCLUSIONS
MTT staining is simple, convenient and practical for detecting cell apoptosis.
Feng
Chun-Qiong
CQ
Institute of Molecular Biology, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. fengchunqiong@263.net
Ma
Wen-Li
WL
Song
Yan-Bing
YB
Guo
Qiu-Ye
QY
Wu
Qing-Hua
QH
Zheng
Wen-Ling
WL
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005562:Formazans; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D005562:Formazans; D010087:Oxides; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; C079782:MTT formazan; D004247:DNA; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide