MTT assay is a laboratory test and a standard colorimetric assay (an assay which measures changes in colour) for measuring cellular proliferation (cell growth).

The amount of yellow MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) reduced to purple formazan is measured spectrophotometrically by a spectrometer. This reduction takes place only when mitochondrial reductase enzymes are active, and thus conversion is directly related to the number of viable cells. The production of purple formazan in cells treated with an agent is measured relative to the production in control cells, and a dose-response curve can be generated.

References

Mosmann, T., Rapid Colorimetric Assay for Cellular Growth and Survival: Application to Proliferation and Cytotoxicity Assays. J. Immunol. Meth. 1983, 65, 55-63.

Biochemistry

Test MTT