Cell cytotoxicity / Proliferation assay cell type - SKOV-3

Cell cytotoxicity assays measure the ability of certain compounds or chemical mediators to reduce the viability of the cells. The term cell cytotoxicity assay can sometimes be used interchangeably with cell proliferation assay. Healthy living cells can be identified by the use of formazan dyes, protease biomarkers or by measuring ATP content. The formazan dyes are chromogenic products formed by the reduction of tetrazolium salts by dehydrogenases, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reductases that are released during cell death. Common tetrazolium salts include INT, MTT, MTS and XTT. Cell cytotoxicity can also be measured by using the SRB and WST-1 assays. These assays can usually be used in a high-throughput fashion and can be quantitated by measuring absorbance, colorimetry or luminescence. All these assays require similar numbers of cell plating at the initiation, a time course of treatment with the cytotoxic agent and at least triplicates for each condition at every point of analysis. Cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, cell detachment, externalization of phosphatidylserine, nuclear condensation and ultimately DNA fragmentation are well-described features of apoptosis. The assays that rely on cell membrane integrity for their function, may not be able to quantify early apoptosis. Therefore, in order to distinguish early apoptotic vs. late apoptotic or necrotic cells, additional flow cytometry techniques can be used. A combination of Annexin V and PI (propidium iodide) can be used to distinguish early (Annexin V+/PI-) and late apoptotic (Annexin V+/PI+) cells. Sometimes, caspase assays are used in order to differentiate the stages of apoptosis.

Start discussion

No discussions found

Start your discussion

Share your thoughts or question with experts in your field

Start a discussion

Found 3 matching solutions for this experiment

Upstream tips
- 1000 cells/ well were platted in a 96 well plate.
Protocol tips
- Every 24h within a period of 96 h, cells were treated with XTT and incubated for 5 h.
Downstream tips
- Absorbance values were measured at 490 nm
Upstream tips



- Cells are seeded and cultured in a medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum .

- Cells were seeded and incubated for 72 h prior to addition of the BrdU solution.
Protocol tips
- Serum-free medium containing BrdU is added into cells and observed for the next 16h
Can't find the product you've used to perform this experiment? It would be great if you can help us by Adding a product!

Outsource your experiment

Fill out your contact details and receive price quotes in your Inbox

  Outsource experiment
Become shareholder Discussions About us Contact Privacy Terms