DRUG TOXICITY STUDIES BASED ON VIRE2-GFP MOBILITY INSIDE PLANT CELLS

Testing the toxicity of a drug candidate is an essential process for drug development. Any failure to detect severe toxicity or side effect timely would certainly lead to health concerns and economic loss. From the period between 1953 and 2014, a total of four hundred and sixty-one drugs were withdrawn from the market or clinical use due to toxicity effects. The most common method for toxicity testing for drugs is the use of LD50 and IC50. However, there are multiple disadvantages of such tests, which includes varied results between animals tested and route of drug administration. In this study, we utilised a new testing technology based on the ability to visualise the mobility of VirE2-GFP fluorescent protein in real time within Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells. By monitoring the mobility of VirE2-GFP protein, we can detect toxicity of the difference between control samples and samples subjected to drugs. A total of 9 drugs which consists of both withdrawn and current drugs were tested in this study. With the results obtained, a new testing parameter for toxicity is proposed: VD50, which is defined as the concentration of the drug which can lowers the vitality of the cell sample by 50 %.

Author dc:creator

• NGOH SI TE

• GFP
• IC50
• LD50
• Nicotiana benthamiana
• Toxicity
• Drug