Cell viability and cytotoxicity assays: Biochemical elements and cellular compartments

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Cell viability and cytotoxicity assays are vital for drug screening and chemical effect evaluation.
• Existing guidelines for these assays are based on morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives.
• New mechanisms in cell cytotoxicity pathways necessitate updated assay classifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a revised classification system for cell viability and cytotoxicity assays.
• To categorize assays based on the cellular compartment and/or biochemical element involved.
• To focus on the mechanistic and essential aspects of cell death and survival assays.

Main Methods:

• Review and reclassification of existing cell viability and cytotoxicity assays.
• Categorization based on cellular compartment and biochemical targets.
• Incorporation of diverse cell functions such as metabolic activity, membrane integrity, and DNA integrity.

Main Results:

• A novel classification framework for cell viability and cytotoxicity assays is presented.
• Assays are grouped according to their mechanistic basis and targeted cellular components.
• The classification encompasses assays measuring metabolic activity, membrane permeability, ATP content, and DNA fragmentation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed classification provides a mechanistic and compartment-based approach to understanding cell viability assays.
• This revised system aids in the accurate appraisal of chemotherapeutic biomolecules' effects on cell survival.
• The assays are reliable, cost-effective, and suitable for high-throughput drug development screening.