A rapid and accurate assay for assessing the cytotoxicity of viral proteins

A fluorescence-based assay is presented for measuring the cytoxicity of viral proteins added exogenously to cells. The assay is based on the use of two fluorescent dyes, calcein-AM and ethidium homodimer (EtD-1) to specifically stain living and dead cells respectively and employs fluorescence activated cells sorting (FACS) to achieve a rapid and accurate measurement of the cytotoxic capacity of a potential viral toxin. The assay has been developed using the group B homologue (ADRV-NSP4) of the NSP4 enterotoxin encoded by Group A rotaviruses but should be applicable to assaying any viral protein exhibiting cytotoxic activity.
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Publication
Contributors
Guzman E, McCrae M A
Year
2005
Journal
Journal of Virological Methods
Volume
127
Issue
2
Pages
119-125
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Associated viruses