METHOD FOR DETECTING POTENTIAL CELLULAR TOXICITY OF COMPOUNDS

摘要

The subject invention involves a test procedure for screening for potential cellular toxicity of a test compound comprising the following steps: a) maki ng liposomes from one or a mixture of lipids to simulate a cell membrane composition of interest, the liposomes being made in an aqueous medium havin g a pH which is thereby the inside pH of the liposomes; b) incorporating the liposomes in an aqueous test medium having a pH at least about 0.5 pH units above the inside pH of the liposomes, whereby a pH gradient exists between t he test medium and the insides of the liposomes; c) incorporating a fluorescent dye in the test medium, the dye having a tendency to penetrate into the liposomes due to the pH gradient, the dye being pH sensitive such that the fluorescence of the dye is quenched inside the liposomes; d) incorporating t he test compound in the test medium; whereby, if the test compound disrupts the structure of the liposomes or otherwise causes dissipation of the pH gradien t between the test medium and the insides of the liposomes, the fluorescence o f the dye is not quenched; e) determining the fluorescence of the test medium and comparing the determination with those of controls.