Rapid determination of membrane transport parameters in adherent cells

Reported here is a new method that permits rapid (approximately 5 s) determinations of membrane transport phenomena in cells grown in monolayers at the base of 17-mm glass scintillation vials. The method is convenient, cost effective and requires no special apparatus. Initial uptake rates, steady-state and free substrate levels are demonstrated in ZR-75-1 breast cancer and Chinese hamster ovary cell lines using methotrexate, a model agent transported by the reduced folate carrier. The technique should be applicable to the study of the transport properties in a broad range of substrates and cells in monolayer culture.