Bioluminescent monitoring of ATP release from human red blood cells treated with nonionic detergent.

The adaptation of the firefly luciferin-luciferase system for the detection of ATP in the presence of Triton X 100 or Brij 58 nonionic detergents is described. The method is sensitive, easy to perform and is suitable for the continuous monitoring of the mobilization rate of ATP from Triton X 100- or Brij 58-treated human erythrocytes. A very rapid ATP release was observed after Triton X 100 treatment of the red blood cells while the presence of Brij 58 caused a retarded mobilization of the intracellular ATP. The technique described seems to be applicable to all kinds of cells.