Photoelectric measurements of self-assembled and supported planar lipid bilayers: a new technique for studying apoptosis

Abstract A new method based on photoelectrochemistry for analyzing apoptosis of bilayer lipid membranes (s-BLMs) containing MCF-7 nuclei is reported. The s-BLM cell responded to white light (200–800 nm). During the apoptosis induced by Taxol, the photoelectric current of the cell decreased, suggesting degradation of the nuclear DNA. Electron transfer along the DNA double helix and along the nuclear skeleton is assumed in the interpretation. This novel photoelectric analytical method may provide a rapid and sensitive technique to evaluate apoptosis.