A new version of the Ag?NOR technique. A combination with DAPI staining

Summary The Ag−NOR staining technique is widely used for visualizing nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in various plant and animal tissues. We describe a simple and time-saving combination of Ag−NOR staining with DNA detection by fluorescence microscopy. This modification was tested on cultured cells and semi-thin sections of plastic-embedded tissues. Of the different fixatives and embedding media used in our studies, the best results (i.e., high selectivity of staining, and lack of or very low background precipitation) were obtained with fixation in methanol-acetone at −20°C for cultured cells, and fixation in 4% formaldehyde followed by embedding in Histocryl resin for tissue sections. The optimal time of Ag−NOR staining was determind experimentally for all materials tested. The specificity of the staining was checked at the electron microscopical level. Especially good results were obtained by mixing epifluorescence with standard bright-field illumination. In such a combination, Ag−NOR-positive nucleoli, or their fibrillar centres and dense fibrillar components, were clearly visible against a bright background of nuclear DNA.     

Immunolocalization of Ku-proteins (p80/p70): Localization of p70 to nucleoli and periphery of both interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes

Distribution on both nuclei and metaphase chromosomes of Ku-proteins, recognized by autoantibodies from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus, has been studied using a specific monoclonal antibody (mAbH6) that recognizes p70, one Ku-protein. Observation with either a conventional fluorescent microscope or a confocal laser scanning microscope revealed mAbH6-stained p70 antigen localized on both nuclear periphery and nucleoli of human interphase cells. The specific staining of nucleoli with mAbH6 has been confirmed using isolated nucleoli from rat liver in which the staining was seen as fine granules surrounding nucleolar DNA. During mitosis p70 antigen moved away from association with the nuclear envelope region to localization on the periphery of condensed chromosomes with no apparent staining of chromosome interior. The p70 antigen was copurified with DNA fragments by immunoaffinity column chromatography using mAbH6. The mAbH6 staining of both nuclear periphery and nucleoli was lost upon digestion with DNase I at low concentrations. These results suggest that p70 antigen is connected with these nuclear structures through DNA.     

Procedures for specific detection of silver-stained nucleolar proteins on western blots.

Nucleolar organizer region (NOR)-silver staining of the chromosomes and nucleoli is a method that enables the detection of proteins associated with the ribosomal genes. We adapted the most commonly used cytochemical NOR-silver staining techniques to Western-blotted proteins of HeLa cells, mimicking the silver staining of cells in situ, and testing several parameters that may influence the in situ reaction. Two of these techniques, both one-step methods with colloidal developers, were standardized to obtain reproducible results. The specificity of NOR staining is documented by: (a) only a few bands are revealed among the many proteins detected by total proteins staining on gels or blots; two major groups of bands are found around 100 KD and 40 KD that could correspond at least in part to nucleolin and B23 nucleolar proteins; (b) the silver staining of bands was not the result of the high relative protein concentrations; and (c) the same number of NOR-silver-stained bands was observed across a large range of protein concentrations. The reaction appeared to be specific for a subset of nucleolar proteins, because the same bands were observed with the use of nucleolar, nuclear, or total cell protein extracts, and the silver grains observed in electron microscopy were clearly confined to the nucleolar fibrillar centers and dense fibrillar component. The efficiency of the reaction was not modified by any of the tested fixative pre-treatments except that involving methanol. The presented standardization of NOR-silver staining on Western blots allows the characterization of the Ag-NOR proteins and their specific regions responsible for silver staining of the nucleolus.     

Nuclear and nucleolar localization of the 72,000-dalton heat shock protein in heat-shocked mammalian cells

The intracellular location of the major induced mammalian heat shock (or stress) protein (Mr = 72,000) has been determined by both biochemical and immunological methods. This protein, shown here to be comprised of at least three structurally related isoforms, is produced at high levels within 30 min to 1 h following heat treatment of cells. Biochemical fractionation of cells grown under heat shock showed that following its synthesis a portion of the 72,000-Da protein (and its isoforms) becomes associated with the nucleus while some remains in the cytoplasm. Indirect immunofluorescence studies using antiserum directed against the major isoforms of the 72,000-Da protein were carried out in normal and heat-shocked cells as well as in cells grown under stress by exposure to either an amino acid analogue or to sodium arsenite. Diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear staining was observed in cells grown at 37 degrees C. In cells grown under heat shock conditions, both the cytoplasmic staining and the nuclear staining were found to increase with the nuclear staining consisting of both granular and patch-like structures, the latter being coincident with phase-dense nucleoli. In the case of cells exposed to amino acid analogues or to sodium arsenite, only cytoplasmic and to a lesser extent nuclear staining was observed, i.e. no localized nucleolar fluorescence was observed. Following return of heat shock-treated cells to normal growth temperatures, both the synthesis of the 72,000-Dalton stress protein and its nucleolar staining were found to diminish.     

Evaluation of fixative composition,fixative storage,and fixation duration on the fine structure and volume of root-cell nucleoli

Summary— The effect of various combinations of three fixative compositions (glutaraldehyde buffered in veronal acetate, cacodylate, and piperazine-N, N'-bis[2-ethanesulfonic acid]—PIPES], two fixative storage times (fresh vs 6 weeks), and two fixation durations (3 h vs 9 days) on nucleolar fine structure and nucleolar volume in three root cell-types of oat seedlings (Avena sativa L, cv Seger) were evaluated. All fixatives show overall good preservation of fine structure. Nucleolar components are distinct and well delineated in cells fixed in solutions buffered with either cacodylate or veronal acetate; the components are more condensed when preserved in fixative buffered with PIPES. Nucleolar volume is greatest in cells fixed in the cacodylate fixative, and smallest in those preserved in the PIPES fixative. Among the treatments tested, the PIPES fixative evidently best maintains nucleolar volume. Distracting particulate deposits are abundant on nuclei and nucleoli in cells preserved in the veronal-acetate fixative. Contrary to common assumptions, aging of buffered fixative at room temperature for 6 weeks seems to affect neither the general quality of cellular preservation nor the pH of the fixatives, although nucleolar volume is reduced by such treatment. Long-period fixation (9 days) results in destruction of membrane integrity (mitochondria, plastids, ER), and shrinkage of organelles from the cytoplasm. Nucleolar volume is reduced with prolonged fixation.     

Cytochemical variations in the nucleolus during spermiogenesis in man and monkey

Summary The fine structure, nature and fate of the components of the nucleolus were studied in young (steps 1, 2), intermediate (steps 3, 4, 5) and mature spermatids (steps 6, 7, 8) of man and monkey, by use of several cytochemical techniques (alcoholic PTA; sodium tungstate; EDTA; HAPTA; nuclease-gold complexes; NOR silver staining). As controls, comparative ultrastructural and cytochemical observations of the nucleolus in spermatids and Sertoli cells were made in the same sections of seminiferous tubules. In the young spermatids of the two species studied, the nucleolar masses exhibited identical features. Segregation of the nucleolar components took place in the nuclei of step 1 spermatids. No typical fibrillar center was observed. In spermatids at steps 1 and 2, the nucleolar masses appeared to be made up of two fibrillar components of equal density, one spherule-shaped, the other forming cords, both surrounded by clusters of 15–20 nm-diameter granules. Alcoholic PTA and sodium tungstate yielded a selective positive contrast of the two fibrillar components whereas EDTA and RNase-gold reacted with the peripheral granular material. Treatment with RNase-gold and DNase-gold complexes resulted in preferential labeling at the periphery of the fibrillar components. After NOR silver staining, numerous small silver grains were localized over the fibrillar cords, suggesting the persistence of specific acidic non-histone proteins. On the contrary, the spherule was never stained. In intermediate spermatids, when the nucleolar components were dissociated, scattered clusters of granules stained by EDTA and HAPTA remained in the entire nucleoplasm. Nucleolar disintegration was accompanied by dispersion of argyrophilic material. In mature spermatids granular material revealed by PTA and silver staining methods was found in the nuclear pockets bounded by the redundant nuclear envelope.     

扁蓿豆冷诱导基因差异表达分析

以直立型扁蓿豆幼苗为试验材料,采用cDNA-AFLP技术分析扁蓿豆在低温胁迫诱导下的基因表达差异.结果显示,利用筛选的64对引物组合,对0℃低温处理3～5叶期扁蓿豆幼苗的叶片cDNA进行扩增,共获得549条差异表达的转录衍生片段(TDFs).选取上调表达较好的43条片段进行克隆、测序、Blastx比对和功能分析,其中32个TDFs的蛋白序列与基础代谢、信号转导、转录因子、防御等功能有关,11个TDFs为假设蛋白、未知蛋白或没有找到一致序列.利用荧光定量PCR对3种不同上调表达差异片段进行验证,结果可从数值上更准确地显示差异片段在低温胁迫过程中的相对表达量.     

低氧对小麦根端分生细胞核仁结构和功能的影响

为了探讨低氧对小麦根端分生细胞核仁结构和功能的影响,本实验以普通小麦为材料,用低氧水处理其根尖,按常规细胞制片、银染、电镜观察、间接免疫荧光染色和半定量PCR分析等手段开展研究.观察发现:(1)低氧水处理后小麦核仁结构发生膨胀、突出、进而凝集、内部出现空泡、细微结构消失、核仁通道结构异常、甚至解体等一系列变异现象.(2)间接免疫荧光染色技术观察看到,低氧水处理后小麦核仁内的核磷蛋白B23向核质甚至胞质扩散.(3)半定量PCR分析显示,低氧处理后rRNA基因的表达量较对照明显降低,而且C23的表达信号几乎检测不到,表明核糖体RNA和核仁蛋白C23基因的表达均显著下调,低氧严重抑制它们的转录.研究证明,低氧除了对小麦根端分生细胞核仁结构有破坏作用外,还严重抑制核仁的功能.     

Effect of fixation on the antigenicity of human lactoferrin in paraffin-embedded tissues and cytocentrifuged cell smears.

Immunoperoxidase techniques were used to study the preservation of the antigenicity of human lactoferrin (LF) of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and various exocrine glandular cells in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and cytocentrifuged cell smears. Tissues fixed in Carnoy's fluid in contrast to other fixatives used, showed good preservation of LF antigenicity irrespective of the fixation time. Cell smears fixed in Carnoy's fluid showed diffuse nuclear and cytoplasmic staining for LF, although morphologic integrity was poorly preserved. Granular cytoplasmic staining for LF with no staining of nuclei was seen in cell smears fixed in buffered formol acetone for 2--10 min. The nature of nuclear LF staining and future applications of the present methods are discussed.     

Establishment of HEp-2 cell preparation for automated analysis of ANA fluorescence pattern.

BACKGROUND: Identification of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) has large clinical importance for the assessment of autoimmune diseases. HEp-2 cell preparations on microscopic slides are commonly used as antigenic substrate. Methods used for cell preparation are important for ANA pattern analysis; however, these methods differ widely and are mostly not specified. METHODS: HEp-2 cells were fixed using acetic acid-ethanol, methanol-acetone, acetone, formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, or glutaraldehyde. Morphological analysis was done after haematoxylin-eosin staining and DAPI-staining of cell nuclei. RESULTS: The results demonstrate a high variability of cell and nuclear morphology depending on the used fixatives. Aldehyde fixatives conserved the cell structures best, acetone fixatives revealed remarkable changes. CONCLUSIONS: After selecting appropriate fixation procedures to preserve nuclear structures further experiments are necessary to find out which fixation procedure preserves the disease-linked antigens the best way and are, therefore, suitable to be used in ANA-testing of AABs.     

Effect of fixation on the antigenicity of human lactoferrin in paraffin-embedded tissues and cytocentrifuged cell smears

Summary Immunoperoxidase techniques were used to study the preservation of the antigenicity of human lactoferrin (LF) of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and various exocrine glandular cells in paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and cytocentrifuged cell smears. Tissues fixed in Carnoy's fluid in contrast to other fixatives used, showed good preservation of LF antigenicity irrespective of the fixation time. Cell smears fixed in Carnoy's fluid showed diffuse nuclear and cytoplasmic staining for LF, although morphologic intergrity was poorly preserved. Granular cytoplasmic staining for LF with no staining of nuclei was seen in cell smears fixed in buffered formol acetone for 2–10 min. The nature of nuclear LF staining and future applications of the present methods are discussed.     

NO66, a highly conserved dual location protein in the nucleolus and in a special type of synchronously replicating chromatin

It has recently become clear that the nucleolus, the most prominent nuclear subcompartment, harbors diverse functions beyond its classic role in ribosome biogenesis. To gain insight into nucleolar functions, we have purified amplified nucleoli from Xenopus laevis oocytes using a novel approach involving fluorescence-activated cell sorting techniques. The resulting protein fraction was analyzed by mass spectrometry and used for the generation of monoclonal antibodies directed against nucleolar components. Here, we report the identification and molecular characterization of a novel, ubiquitous protein, which in most cell types appears to be a constitutive nucleolar component. Immunolocalization studies have revealed that this protein, termed NO66, is highly conserved during evolution and shows in most cells analyzed a dual localization pattern, i.e., a strong enrichment in the granular part of nucleoli and in distinct nucleoplasmic entities. Colocalizations with proteins Ki-67, HP1alpha, and PCNA, respectively, have further shown that the staining pattern of NO66 overlaps with certain clusters of late replicating chromatin. Biochemical experiments have revealed that protein NO66 cofractionates with large preribosomal particles but is absent from cytoplasmic ribosomes. We propose that in addition to its role in ribosome biogenesis protein NO66 has functions in the replication or remodeling of certain heterochromatic regions.     

A comparison of the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) and peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical techniques for demonstrating Sendai virus infection in fixed tissue specimens

Mice were infected with Sendai virus and killed 8 days later. Lungs were removed and perfused with ethanol, 10% neutral formalin, Bouin's, B-5, or Zenker's fixatives. Tissues were dehydrated, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained for the presence of Sendai virus using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase-complex (ABC) and peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) immunocytochemical techniques. Results of these techniques were compared. The ABC technique was more sensitive than the PAP. Sendai antigen was demonstrated by the ABC technique in lung tissue fixed with any fixative, whereas antigen could be demonstrated with consistency only in ethanol-fixed lung by the PAP technique. Trypsin treatment of lung prior to immunoperoxidase treatment failed to enhance staining with either technique and actually caused a decrease in staining in ethanol, B-5 and Zenker's-fixed specimens.     

Immunohistochemical localization of thyroid hormone in rat thyroid gland.

Direct and indirect immunofluorescence techniques were used to localize the thyroid hormones triidothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in adult rat thyroid gland. Optimum dilutions of the antisera were established and four tissue fixatives were investigated for usefulness in this technique. Use of antibodies specific for either T3 or T4 resulted in brilliant fluorescence in the colloid pools and apical cytoplasm of follicular cells. In all cases, the adjacent parathyroid gland was devoid of fluorescence. This report demonstrates that these dipeptide hormones can be localized by using immunofluorescence techniques.     

Improvement of ciliate identification and quantification: a new protocol for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in combination with silver stain techniques

A new protocol for taxon specific probe based fluorescent in situ hybridization was developed for the identification and quantification of ciliates in microbial communities. Various fixatives and experimental parameters were evaluated and optimized with respect to cell permeability and morphological preservation. Optimum results were adaption by obatined of a modified fixation method using Bouin's solution. Furthermore, conventional staining procedures such as different Protargol stain techniques and a silver nitrate impregnation method were modified and can now be applied in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization. The new protocol allows a rapid and reliable identification as well as quantification of ciliates based upon classical morphological aspects and rRNA based phylogenetic relationships performed in one experiment. Furthermore, a set of specific probes targeting different regions of the 18S rRNA was designed for Glaucoma scintillans Ehrenberg, 1830 and tested by applying this new approach of combining in situ cell hybridization with conventional staining techniques.