page_title: MTT assay
hierarchical_section_title: MTT assay
caption_attribution_description: A 96-well microtiter plate used in an MTT assay. Each column was incubated with different amounts of culture cells, increasing from 500 cells in column 2 (left) to 100.000 cells in column 11 (right), for 72 hours. After a short incubation with MTT, the purple formazan product was extracted using Dimethyl sulfoxide. As can be seen, higher amounts of cells result in higher formazan production and thus a stronger purple colour. Polski: Płytka mikrotitracyjna 96-cio studzienkowa
context_page_description: The MTT assay is a colorimetric assay for assessing cell metabolic activity. NADH-dependent cellular oxidoreductase enzymes may, under defined conditions, reflect the number of viable cells present. These enzymes are capable of reducing the tetrazolium dye MTT 3--2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide to its insoluble formazan, which has a purple color. Other closely related tetrazolium dyes including XTT, MTS and the WSTs, are used in conjunction with the intermediate electron acceptor, 1-methoxy phenazine methosulfate. With WST-1, which is cell-impermeable, reduction occurs outside the cell via plasma membrane electron transport. However, this traditionally assumed explanation is currently contended as proof has also been found of MTT reduction to formazan in lipidic cellular structures without apparent involvement of oxidoreductases.
  Tetrazolium dye assays can also be used to measure cytotoxicity or cytostatic activity of potential medicinal agents and toxic materials. MTT assays are usually done in the dark since the MTT reagent is sensitive to light.
context_section_description: The MTT assay is a colorimetric assay for assessing cell metabolic activity. NAD(P)H-dependent cellular oxidoreductase enzymes may, under defined conditions, reflect the number of viable cells present. These enzymes are capable of reducing the tetrazolium dye MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide to its insoluble formazan, which has a purple color. Other closely related tetrazolium dyes including XTT, MTS and the WSTs, are used in conjunction with the intermediate electron acceptor, 1-methoxy phenazine methosulfate (PMS). With WST-1, which is cell-impermeable, reduction occurs outside the cell via plasma membrane electron transport. However, this traditionally assumed explanation is currently contended as proof has also been found of MTT reduction to formazan in lipidic cellular structures without apparent involvement of oxidoreductases. 
  Tetrazolium dye assays can also be used to measure cytotoxicity (loss of viable cells) or cytostatic activity (shift from proliferation to quiescence) of potential medicinal agents and toxic materials. MTT assays are usually done in the dark since the MTT reagent is sensitive to light.
caption: A microtiter plate after an MTT assay. Increasing amounts of cells resulted in increased purple colouring.
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