In vitro characterization of dopaminergic toxins: A laboratory exercise suitable for a senior undergraduate biochemistry laboratory curriculum

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Authors
Le, Viet Q.
Adjei, Joseph
Eldani, Maya
Oluwatosin, Adetuyi
Wimalasena, Kandatege
Advisors
Issue Date
2023
Type
Article
Keywords
Biochemistry techniques , Cell viability , DAPI , Experiential learning , MPP+ , MTT , Undergraduate biochemistry laboratory experiment
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Le, V., Adjei, J., Eldani, M., Oluwatosin, A., Wimalasena, K. In vitro characterization of dopaminergic toxins: A laboratory exercise suitable for a senior undergraduate biochemistry laboratory curriculum. (2023). Journal of Chemical Education. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01289
Abstract

The objective of this study was to introduce a colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay and a fluorometric 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) apoptotic assay that are suitable to adopt into an undergraduate biochemistry laboratory curriculum to identify and characterize dopaminergic toxins in the common working environments. Here, we used commercially available Parkinsonian toxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP), as a model dopaminergic toxin and tested its selective dopaminergic toxicity in MN9D cells against non-neuronal HepG2 cells in an upper-level undergraduate biochemistry laboratory class. Overall, this laboratory exercise helped students to develop skills in quantitative in vitro toxicity measurements using a simple colorimetric MTT assay and gain an understanding of the mechanism of toxicity by DAPI fluorescence imaging techniques for apoptosis. Required experimental data analyses will also allow students to gain an understanding of the use of appropriate statistical analyses of biochemicals in biomedical studies. More importantly, this exercise will allow students to better understand the intimate relationship between the environment and human health. The high relevance of this study to environmental effects of human health will certainly result in high interest leading to increased student engagement and interest for advanced learning. © 2024 American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc.

Table of Contents
Description
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Journal
Journal of Chemical Education
Book Title
Series
PubMed ID
ISSN
0021-9584
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