Name: imaging calcium responses in gfp-tagged neurons of hypothalamic mouse brain slices
Uploaded: 2012-08-24T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices at JoVE.com

We thank our colleagues who participated in the work summarized here. This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 894), the DFG Schwerpunktprogramm 1392 'Integrative analysis of olfaction' and by the Volkswagen Foundation (TLZ). TLZ is a Lichtenberg Professor of the Volkswagen Foundation.

1. Preparation of Solution and Agarose Gel
<ol>
 <li>Prepare extracellular solution according to the table with double distilled water. The pH will be ~7.3 after 10 min aeration with carbogen (95% O2 / 5% CO2), the osmolarity 300 mOsm8. If a higher osmolarity is required, it can be adjusted by adding more glucose (1 mM equals 1 mOsm). The solution is filtered twice using a 0.2 &mu;m membrane filter to eliminate dust particles and possible bacterial contaminations.</li>
</ol>
<table bord...

<ol>
	<li>Almholt, K., Arkhammar, P. O., Thastrup, O., Tullin, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simultaneous+visualization+of+the+translocation+of+protein+kinase+Calpha-green+fluorescent+protein+hybrids+and+intracellular+calcium+concentrations.">Simultaneous visualization of the translocation of protein kinase Calpha-green fluorescent protein hybrids and intracellular calcium concentrations.</a> Biochem. J. 337 (Pt 2), 211-218 (1999).</li><li>Bolsover, S., Ibrahim, O., O'Luanaigh, N., Williams, H., Cockcroft, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+fluorescent+Ca2++dyes+with+green+fluorescent+protein+and+its+variants:+problems+and+solutions.">Use of fluorescent Ca2+ dyes with green fluorescent protein and its variants: problems and solutions.</a> Biochem. J. 356, 345-352 (2001).</li><li>Leinders-Zufall, T., Ishii, T., Mombaerts, P., Zufall, F., Boehm, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+requirements+for+the+activation+of+vomeronasal+sensory+neurons+by+MHC+peptides.">Structural requirements for the activation of vomeronasal sensory neurons by MHC peptides.</a> Nat. Neurosci. 12, 1551-1558 (2009).</li><li>Wen, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+identification+of+GnRH+receptor+neurons:+a+new+model+for+studying+neural+circuits+underlying+reproductive+physiology+in+the+mouse+brain.">Genetic identification of GnRH receptor neurons: a new model for studying neural circuits underlying reproductive physiology in the mouse brain.</a> Endocrinology. 152, 1515-1526 (2011).</li><li>Hara, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging+pancreatic+beta-cells+in+the+intact+pancreas.">Imaging pancreatic beta-cells in the intact pancreas.</a> Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 290, E1041-E1047 (2006).</li><li>Doherty, A. J., Coutinho, V., Collingridge, G. L., Henley, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+internalization+and+surface+expression+of+a+functional,+fluorescently+tagged+G-protein-coupled+glutamate+receptor.">Rapid internalization and surface expression of a functional, fluorescently tagged G-protein-coupled glutamate receptor.</a> Biochem. J. 341 (Pt 2), 415-422 (1999).</li><li>Kurebayashi, N., Harkins, A. B., Baylor, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+fura+red+as+an+intracellular+calcium+indicator+in+frog+skeletal+muscle+fibers.">Use of fura red as an intracellular calcium indicator in frog skeletal muscle fibers.</a> Biophys. J. 64, 1934-1960 (1993).</li><li>Heyward, P. M., Chen, C., Clarke, I. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gonadotropin-releasing+hormone+modifies+action+potential+generation+in+sheep+pars+distalis+gonadotropes.">Gonadotropin-releasing hormone modifies action potential generation in sheep pars distalis gonadotropes.</a> Neuroendocrinology. 58, 646-654 (1993).</li><li>Kneen, M., Farinas, J., Li, Y., Verkman, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Green+fluorescent+protein+as+a+noninvasive+intracellular+pH+indicator.">Green fluorescent protein as a noninvasive intracellular pH indicator.</a> Biophys. J. 74, 1591-1599 (1998).</li><li>Wen, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+characterization+of+genetically+labeled+gonadotropes.">Functional characterization of genetically labeled gonadotropes.</a> Endocrinology. 149, 2701-2711 (2008).</li><li>Paxinos, G., Franklin, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> The mouse brain in stereotaxic coordinates. , (2001).</li><li>Tirindelli, R., Dibattista, M., Pifferi, S., Menini, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=From+pheromones+to+behavior.">From pheromones to behavior.</a> Physiol. Rev. 89, 921-956 (2009).</li><li>Kelliher, K. R., Wersinger, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Olfactory+regulation+of+the+sexual+behavior+and+reproductive+physiology+of+the+laboratory+mouse:+effects+and+neural+mechanisms.">Olfactory regulation of the sexual behavior and reproductive physiology of the laboratory mouse: effects and neural mechanisms.</a> ILAR J. 50, 28-42 (2009).</li><li>Yoon, H., Enquist, L. W., Dulac, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Olfactory+inputs+to+hypothalamic+neurons+controlling+reproduction+and+fertility.">Olfactory inputs to hypothalamic neurons controlling reproduction and fertility.</a> Cell. 123, 669-682 (2005).</li><li>Boehm, U., Zou, Z., Buck, L. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Feedback+loops+link+odor+and+pheromone+signaling+with+reproduction.">Feedback loops link odor and pheromone signaling with reproduction.</a> Cell. 123, 683-695 (2005).</li><li>Wilson, J. M., Dombeck, D. A., Diaz-Rios, M., Harris-Warrick, R. M., Brownstone, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-photon+calcium+imaging+of+network+activity+in+XFP-expressing+neurons+in+the+mouse.">Two-photon calcium imaging of network activity in XFP-expressing neurons in the mouse.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 97, 3118-3125 (2007).</li><li>Hu, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+near-atmospheric+concentrations+of+CO2+by+an+olfactory+subsystem+in+the+mouse.">Detection of near-atmospheric concentrations of CO2 by an olfactory subsystem in the mouse.</a> Science. 317, 953-957 (2007).</li><li>Perez, C. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+transient+receptor+potential+channel+expressed+in+taste+receptor+cells.">A transient receptor potential channel expressed in taste receptor cells.</a> Nat. Neurosci. 5, 1169-1176 (2002).</li><li>Trollinger, D. R., Cascio, W. E., Lemasters, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selective+loading+of+Rhod+2+into+mitochondria+shows+mitochondrial+Ca2++transients+during+the+contractile+cycle+in+adult+rabbit+cardiac+myocytes.">Selective loading of Rhod 2 into mitochondria shows mitochondrial Ca2+ transients during the contractile cycle in adult rabbit cardiac myocytes.</a> Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun. 236, 738-742 (1997).</li><li>Meshik, X. A., Hyrc, K. L., Goldberg, M. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Properties+of+Asante+Calcium+Red+-+a+novel+ratiometric+indicator+with+long+excitation+wavelength.">Properties of Asante Calcium Red - a novel ratiometric indicator with long excitation wavelength.</a> , (2010).</li></ol>

A major question in neuroscience is to understand how the brain processes social information. A predominant source of information necessary for social recognition is encoded by olfactory or pheromonal signals. The detection of these signals by neuronal populations in the nose and the recognition of the signals in the brain, especially the hypothalamus, play a key role in many social processes and influence hormones and other neuroendocrine factors13-16. An essential obstacle of analyzing neuronal responses in ...

There was a typo in the abstract of <a href="http://www.jove.com/video/4213">Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices</a>.

Erratum: Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Cat. N&deg;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Agar</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A1296</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fura-red/AM</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>F-3021</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pluronic F-127</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P2443</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dimethyl sulfoxide</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP231</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vibrating-Blade Microtome Hyrax V 50</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>9770170</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cooling Device CU 65 for Microtome Hyrax V 50</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>9920120</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>O2/CO2 Incubator, CB210-UL</td>
			<td>Binder</td>
			<td>0019389</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Super glue, Loctite 406TM</td>
			<td>Henckel</td>
			<td>142580</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Double spatulas, spoon shape</td>
			<td>Bochem</td>
			<td>3182</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microspoon spatulas, spoon shape</td>
			<td>Bochem</td>
			<td>3344</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spring Scissors, Moria-Vannas-Wolff - 7mm Blades</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>15370-52</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spring Scissors, Vannas - 3mm Blades</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>15000-00</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wagner Scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14071-12</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medical Forceps, Dumont 7b</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11270-20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Large Rectangular Open Bath Chamber (RC-27)</td>
			<td>Warner Instruments</td>
			<td>64-0238</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal Microscope BioRad Radiance 2100</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>n.a.</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

imaging calcium responses in gfp-tagged neurons of hypothalamic mouse brain slices

Despite an enormous increase in our knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the encoding of information in the brain, a central question concerning the precise molecular steps as well as the activity of specific neurons in multi-functional nuclei of brain areas such as the hypothalamus remain. This problem includes identification of the molecular components involved in the regulation of various neurohormone signal transduction cascades. Elevations of intracellular Ca2+ play an important role in regulating the sensitivity of neurons, both at the level of signal transduction and at synaptic sites.
New tools have emerged to help identify neurons in the myriad of brain neurons by expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of a particular promoter. To monitor both spatially and temporally stimulus-induced Ca2+ responses in GFP-tagged neurons, a non-green fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye needs to be used. In addition, confocal microscopy is a favorite method of imaging individual neurons in tissue slices due to its ability to visualize neurons in distinct planes of depth within the tissue and to limit out-of-focus fluorescence. The ratiometric Ca2+ indicator fura-2 has been used in combination with GFP-tagged neurons1. However, the dye is excited by ultraviolet (UV) light. The cost of the laser and the limited optical penetration depth of UV light hindered its use in many laboratories. Moreover, GFP fluorescence may interfere with the fura-2 signals2. Therefore, we decided to use a red fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye. The huge Stokes shift of fura-red permits multicolor analysis of the red fluorescence in combination with GFP using a single excitation wavelength. We had previously good results using fura-red in combination with GFP-tagged olfactory neurons3. The protocols for olfactory tissue slices seemed to work equally well in hypothalamic neurons4. Fura-red based Ca2+ imaging was also successfully combined with GFP-tagged pancreatic &beta;-cells and GFP-tagged receptors expressed in HEK cells5,6. A little quirk of fura-red is that its fluorescence intensity at 650 nm decreases once the indicator binds calcium7. Therefore, the fluorescence of resting neurons with low Ca2+ concentration has relatively high intensity. It should be noted, that other red Ca2+-indicator dyes exist or are currently being developed, that might give better or improved results in different neurons and brain areas.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices at JoVE.com

Imaging Calcium Responses in GFP-tagged Neurons of Hypothalamic Mouse Brain Slices

In this protocol, we update recent progress in imaging Ca2+ signals of GFP-tagged neurons in brain tissue slices using a red fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye.

Despite an enormous increase in our knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the encoding of information in the brain, a central question concerning the ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Dual Somatic Recordings from Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neurons Identified by Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Hypothalamic Slices

Dual Somatic Recordings from Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone GnRH Neurons Identified by Green Fluorescent Protein GFP in Hypothalamic Slices

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is a small neuropeptide that regulates pituitary release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating ...

Calcium Imaging of Odor-evoked Responses in the Drosophila Antennal Lobe

Calcium Imaging of Odor-evoked Responses in the Drosophila Antennal Lobe

The antennal lobe is the primary olfactory center in the insect brain and represents the anatomical and functional equivalent of the vertebrate olfactory ...

Preparation of Acute Subventricular Zone Slices for Calcium Imaging

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the two neurogenic zones in the postnatal brain. The SVZ contains densely packed cells, including neural ...

In vivo Postnatal Electroporation and Time-lapse Imaging of Neuroblast Migration in Mouse Acute Brain Slices

In vivo Postnatal Electroporation and Time-lapse Imaging of Neuroblast Migration in Mouse Acute Brain Slices

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the main neurogenic niches in the postnatal brain. Here, neural progenitors proliferate and give rise to ...

Two-photon Calcium Imaging in Neuronal Dendrites in Brain Slices

Calcium (Ca2+) imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ signals in neuronal dendrites. Ca2+ ...

Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans

Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans

It has become increasingly clear that neural circuit activity in behaving animals differs substantially from that seen in anesthetized or immobilized ...

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Visualizing Brain Responses to Endocrine Signaling in Drosophila

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Visualizing Brain Responses to Endocrine Signaling in Drosophila

Organ-to-organ communication by endocrine signaling, for example, from the periphery to the brain, is essential for maintaining homeostasis. As a model ...

Ballistic Labeling of Pyramidal Neurons in Brain Slices and in Primary Cell Culture

It has been reported that the size and shape of dendritic spines is related to their structural plasticity. To identify the morphological structure of ...

In vivo Calcium Imaging of Mouse Geniculate Ganglion Neuron Responses to Taste Stimuli

Within the last ten years, advances in genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) have promoted a revolution in in vivo functional imaging. Using ...