Whole‐mount in situ hybridization of mouse brain to precisely locate mRNAs via fluorescence tomography

Nucleic acids of intact biological tissues are rich in biological information. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization is a powerful technique to mine the wealth of data contained in DNAs or RNAs, especially mRNAs. However, there are no simple, rapid approaches to precisely locate mRNAs in whole‐mount tissues such as intact brains. By combining the penetration procedures of iDISCO with the signal amplification approach termed hybridization chain reaction, we herein developed a method for whole‐brain in situ hybridization at cellular resolution. Based on fluorescence tomography instead of tissue clearing, this method provides a simple, rapid way to precisely locate mRNAs in the whole brain with cytoarchitectonic landmarks. As a proof of principle, we investigated the exact distribution of Cre mRNA in a Thy1‐Cre mouse brain. We found high levels of Cre mRNA in most regions of the subcortical nuclei and the brain stem but comparatively low levels in major areas of the cerebral cortex. This method may have broad applications in studies of RNA function and its relations with diseases.      

Immunohistochemical localization of albumin and in situ hybridization of albumin mRNA

Hepatocytes actively involved in albumin synthesis were identified by immunohistochemical method. In sections of perioidate-lysine-2 per cent (w/v) paraformaldehyde fixed normal rat liver, albumin was detected in all hepatocytes. At the ultrastructural level, albumin was localized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and in Golgi complexes located near the nucleus in only a small subpopulation of hepatocytes, while all other hepatocytes contained albumin only in Golgi complexes located near the bile canaliculi. Stimulation of albumin synthesis by puromycin aminonucleoside-induced nephrosis resulted in an altered intracellular distribution of albumin at the light microscopic level. When examined at the ultrastructural level, albumin was localized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum as well as in Golgi complexes located near the nucleus in nearly all these hepatocytes. Hepatocytes with the potential to synthesize albumin were identified by in situ hybridization of albumin mRNA. In sections of 0.1 per cent (v/v) glutaraldehyde perfusion fixed normal rat liver, albumin mRNA was detected in the cytoplasm of only a few hepatocytes scattered throughout the lobule. Following stimulation of albumin synthesis by the induction of nephrosis, albumin mRNA was detected in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. The source of albumin in those hepatocytes which lacked albumin mRNA was identified in analbuminemic rats injected with rat albumin. At 6 h post injection, the light microscopic distribution of albumin in the liver of these animals was virtually indistinguishable from that in normal rat liver. At the ultrastructural level, injected albumin was localized in lysosomes and in Golgi complexes located near the bile canaliculi.     

Induction of a heat shock gene (hsp 70) in rabbit retinal ganglion cells detected by in situ hybridization with plastic-embedded tissue

Elevation of body temperature by 2–3°C induces a 2.7 kilobase hsp70 mRNA species in the rabbit retina within 1 hr. In situ hybridization with thin sections derived from plastic-embedded tissue permitted a higher level of resolution of retinal cell types compared to procedures which involved the use of frozen tissue sections. A prominent induction of hsp70 mRNA in retinal ganglion cells was observed when an hsp70 riboprobe was utilized for in situ hybridization. These results indicate that this neuronal cell type responds rapidly to fever-like body temperatures by inducing one of the major heat shock genes.     

Analysis of transgene integration sites in transgenic pigs by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The production of pigs transgenic for human decay accelerating factor (hDAF) as potential donors for clinical organ xenotransplantation was reported several years ago. For this purpose it is required that high levels of hDAF are expressed at relevant sites in transplantable organs. Currently, homozygous lines have been produced as well as lines from crosses between heterozygous animals from different founder lines, termed jigsaw pigs. The purpose of the jigsaw crosses is to combine the desirable hDAF protein expression patterns found in different founder lines. Initial selection of the jigsaw pigs is based on the inheritance of the hDAF integration sites from both lines. Litters with potential homozygous transgenics and jigsaw transgenics were analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and slot blot analysis. Results show that both slot blot analysis and FISH are suitable to distinguish between pigs that are heterozygous and homozygous for hDAF. However, FISH has the advantage of producing results more rapidly. For the identification of jigsaw pigs FISH analysis was required since slot blot analysis lacked the required accuracy. On basis of these results, FISH analysis was made part of the routine screening programme for hDAF transgenic pigs     

Ultrastructural in situ hybridization: A review of technical aspects

Detection of nucleic acid sequence at the ultrastructural level has allowed us to better understand the expression of genes in some fields of application in cell biology. In situ hybridization at the ultrastructural level can be carried out using three different methods: on vibratome sections before embedding in epoxy resin, on ultrathin frozen section, or on ultrathin section of tissue embedded in hydrophilic resin such as Lowicryl. Before starting the detection of nucleic acid sequences at the electron microscope level, the experimenter has to choose various parameters: the type of tissue fixation, the probe and its label, and the in situ hybridization method, depending on the sensitivity, the resolution and the ultrastructural preservation required. This review of technical aspects, by describing the different methods of ultrastructural in situ hybridization, will help the experimenter to optimize each step of the hybridization procedure.     

Spatial patterns of gene expression in preimplantation mouse embryos

The distribution of total polyadenylated RNA and mRNAs from the beta-actin, fibronectin, and cytokeratin Endo A genes was examined in preimplantation mouse embryos using in situ hybridization of riboprobes to RNA in sections of embryos. Polyadenylated RNA was found in the cytoplasm of all cells of blastocyst-stage embryos, whereas the specific mRNAs displayed three distinct patterns of expression: uniform throughout the embryo (beta-actin), enriched in the inner cell mass (fibronectin), and enriched in the trophectoderm (Endo A). In eight-cell embryos, the polyadenylated RNA was more concentrated in nuclei than in the cytoplasm (as noted previously), although this was not the case in blastocysts, nor was it true for the specific mRNAs that were examined. These experiments demonstrate that there is localized gene expression in the early mouse embryo, which correlates with the formation of the trophectoderm and the inner cell mass.     

应用分子原位杂交技术解析小麦-天兰冰草部分双二倍体──远中2号的染色体构成

为分析普通小麦（Ｔｒｉｔｉｃｕｍａｅｓｔｉｖｕｍ）－天兰冰草（Ａｇｒｏｐｙｒｏｎｉｎｔｅｒｍｅｄｉｕｍ）部分双二倍体──远中２号（２ｎ＝５４）的染色体构成,用生物素（ｂｉｏｔｉｎ－１６－ｄＵＴＰ）标记天兰冰草染色体组ＤＮＡ作为探针,以普通小麦品种中国春染色体组ＤＮＡ为封闭ＤＮＡ（ｂｌｏｃｋｉｎｇＤＮＡ）,与远中２号的有丝分裂中期染色体ＤＮＡ进行了分子原位杂交。证明远中２号除具有普通小麦的２１对染色体外,附加了１对小麦－天兰冰草易位染色体（即天兰冰草染色体片段易位到小麦染色体的两臂端部）、５对天兰冰草染色体。说明小麦－天兰冰草部分双二倍体在形成过程中染色体行为是比较复杂的,不仅可能产生小麦－天兰冰草染色体间易位,而且小麦染色体也可能与天兰冰草染色体的３种染色休组染色体共同参与组建新的染色体组附加到小麦中去。     

Cellular localization of heat shock gene expression in rabbit cerebellum by in situ hybridization with plastic-embedded tissue

The major cell types in rabbit cerebellum which engage in the expression of a heat shock gene (hsp 70) after hyperthermia were identified. This required in situ hybridization on thin sections derived from plastic-embedded tissue. All classes of cerebellar neurons which were examined (Purkinje, granule, and stellate cells) responded by induction of hsp 70 mRNA within 1 hr after hyperthermia. Prominent induction of hsp 70 mRNA was also observed in oligodendroglia in the deep white matter.     

Cellular localization of a pollen-specific mRNA by in situ hybridization and confocal laser scanning microscopy

Summary The application of confocal laser scanning microscopy together with in situ hybridization experiments in tobacco pollen enabled a detailed localization of a pollen-specific mRNA. The three-dimensional distribution of this specific mRNA over the whole pollen grain was reconstructed by means of optical sections of one specimen.     

斑马鱼整体原位杂交法研究MMP15a的发育相关表达的初步观察

克隆斑马鱼基质金属蛋白酶15a（MMP15a）基因,并研究其在斑马鱼胚胎早期发育中的时空表达状况。收集不同发育时期的斑马鱼胚胎,制备DIG标记的MMP15a RNA探针,采用全胚胎原位杂交方法研究MMP15a基因在胚胎斑马鱼的表达。结果MMP15a基因在胚胎受精后一个细胞时期就开始表达,从受精后24h起,在眼睛处表达明显,从受精后48h MMP15a在胸鳍和耳囊有特异性表达至到受精后96h。MMP15a在斑马鱼胚胎发育不同时期表达明显,且在胸鳍和耳囊处有持续表达。     

Physical mapping of repetitive sequences and genome analysis in six Elymus species by in situ hybridization

Genome constitution and genetic relationships between six Elymus species were assessed by physical mapping of different repetitive sequences using a technique of sequential fluorescence in situ hybridization and genomic in situ hybridization.The six Elymus species are all naturally growing species in northwest China,namely,E.sibiricus,E.nutans,E.barystachyus,E.xiningensis,E.excelsus,and E.dahuricus.An StStHH genome constitution was revealed for E.sibiricus and StStHHYY for the remainder species.Each chromosome could be clearly characterized by physical mapping with 18S-26S rDNA,5S rDNA,Afa-family,and AAG repeats,and be allocated to a certain genome by genomic in situ hybridization.Two 5S rDNA sites,each in the H and St genomes,and three 18S-26S rDNA sites,two in the St genome and one in the Y genome,were uncovered in most of the species.The strong Afa-family hybridization signals discriminated the H genome from the St and Y genomes.The H and Y genome carried more AAG repeats than St.A common non-Robertsonian reciprocal translocation between the H and Y genomes was revealed in E.barystachyus,E.xiningensis,E.excelsus and E.dahuricus.Comparison of molecular karyotypes strongly suggests that they can be classified into three groups,namely,E.sibiricus,E.nutans,and others.     

斑马鱼高分辨率整胚原位杂交实验方法与流程

整胚原位杂交技术是利用反义RNA探针检测体内mRNA表达的一项技术, 在利用模式动物研究基因时空表达方面有着重要的应用。如何使用该技术得到特异、高敏感度的表达结果, 对每一个使用该技术的实验室来说都很重要。本实验室参照常规的实验方法, 对该技术加以改进, 使之更加灵敏, 结果更加特异。文章主要以斑马鱼为例, 介绍了整胚原位杂交技术的发展历史, 并重点介绍了本实验室所用的整胚原位杂交实验流程, 同时还分析了实验结果不理想的原因及其解决方法。     

褐飞虱取食诱导的MAPK3基因在水稻叶鞘组织中的定位

利用Northern杂交技术,对促分裂原活化蛋白激酶基因（MAPK3,BPHiw103）进行了表达分析,同时,针对抗虫水稻B5植株接种褐飞虱若虫48h后的叶鞘组织切片进行了原位定位。Northern杂交结果表明,在褐飞虱取食后,MAPK3 mRNA整体表现为上调的特性。原位杂交显示,褐飞虱取食前,MAPK3在水稻叶的薄壁组织中大量表达;而取食后,在韧皮部表达明显增加,在薄壁组织表达则呈下降趋势。这一点在叶心组织切片中表现最为明显。这些结果说明,水稻在受褐飞虱若虫取食诱导和刺激后,MAPK3的表达在受伤部位急剧增加,推测MAPK3基因可能在水稻对褐飞虱的抗性反应中发挥作用。