This study was supported by Arkansas Space Grant Consortium and National Space Biomedical Research Institute through National Aeronautics and Space Administration, grants NNX15AK32A (RP) and RE03701 (MH-J), and P20 GM109005 (MH-J), and the US Veterans Administration (MH-J). We thank Christopher Fettes, Program Coordinator for the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, for editorial assistance in preparation of the manuscript.

All animal studies were carried out in strict accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health. The animal protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. All animals were housed under standard air-conditioned animal facility at 20 &#177; 2 &#176;C with 10 - 15 hourly cycles of fresh air and free access to standard rodent food and water. Upon arrival, the mice were h...

<ol>
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H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bi-color+detection+of+two+target+DNAs+by+non-radioactive+in+situ+hybridization.">Bi-color detection of two target DNAs by non-radioactive in situ hybridization.</a> Histochemistry. 85, 1-4 (1986).</li><li>Nederlof, P. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three-color+fluorescence+in+situ+hybridization+for+the+simultaneous+detection+of+multiple+nucleic+acid+sequences.">Three-color fluorescence in situ hybridization for the simultaneous detection of multiple nucleic acid sequences.</a> Cytometry. 10, 20-27 (1989).</li><li>Nederlof, P. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+fluorescence+in+situ+hybridization.">Multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization.</a> Cytometry. 11, 126-131 (1990).</li><li>Szeles, A., Joussineau, S., Lewensohn, R., Lagercrantz, S., Larsson, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+spectral+karyotyping+(SKY)+in+biodosimetry+for+the+triage+situation+following+gamma+irradiation.">Evaluation of spectral karyotyping (SKY) in biodosimetry for the triage situation following gamma irradiation.</a> Int J Radiat Biol. 82, 87-96 (2006).</li><li>Camparoto, M. L., Ramalho, A. T., Natarajan, A. T., Curado, M. P., Sakamoto-Hojo, E. 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Res. 530, 1-7 (2003).</li><li>Edwards, 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+critique+of+'Collaborative+exercise+on+the+use+of+FISH+chromosome+painting+for+retrospective+biodosimetry+of+Mayak+nuclear-industrial+personnel.">A critique of 'Collaborative exercise on the use of FISH chromosome painting for retrospective biodosimetry of Mayak nuclear-industrial personnel.</a> Int J Radiat Biol. 78, 867-871 (2002).</li><li>Bauchinger, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Collaborative+exercise+on+the+use+of+FISH+chromosome+painting+for+retrospective+biodosimetry+of+Mayak+nuclear-industrial+personnel.">Collaborative exercise on the use of FISH chromosome painting for retrospective biodosimetry of Mayak nuclear-industrial personnel.</a> Int J Radiat Biol. 77, 259-267 (2001).</li><li>Hieber, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chromosomal+rearrangements+in+post-Chernobyl+papillary+thyroid+carcinomas:+evaluation+by+spectral+karyotyping+and+automated+interphase+FISH.">Chromosomal rearrangements in post-Chernobyl papillary thyroid carcinomas: evaluation by spectral karyotyping and automated interphase FISH.</a> J Biomed. Biotechnol. 2011, 693691 (2011).</li><li>Cohen, N., et al. <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+chromosome+rearrangements+in+two+cases+of+tMDS+with+a+complex+karyotype.">detection of chromosome rearrangements in two cases of tMDS with a complex karyotype.</a> Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 138, 128-132 (2002).</li><li>Pathak, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Vitamin+E+Analog+Gamma-Tocotrienol+(GT3)+Suppresses+Radiation-Induced+Cytogenetic+Damage.">The Vitamin E Analog Gamma-Tocotrienol (GT3) Suppresses Radiation-Induced Cytogenetic Damage.</a> Pharm Res. , (2016).</li><li>Spurbeck, J. L., Zinsmeister, A. R., Meyer, K. J., Jalal, 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=Dynamics+of+chromosome+spreading.">Dynamics of chromosome spreading.</a> Am J Med Genet. 61, 387-393 (1996).</li><li>Deng, W., Tsao, S. W., Lucas, J. N., Leung, C. S., Cheung, A. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+method+for+improving+metaphase+chromosome+spreading.">A new method for improving metaphase chromosome spreading.</a> Cytometry A. 51, 46-51 (2003).</li><li>Hande, M. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Past+exposure+to+densely+ionizing+radiation+leaves+a+unique+permanent+signature+in+the+genome.">Past exposure to densely ionizing radiation leaves a unique permanent signature in the genome.</a> Am J Hum Genet. 72, 1162-1170 (2003).</li><li>Tug, E., Kayhan, G., Kan, D., Guntekin, S., Ergun, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+evaluation+of+long-term+effects+of+ionizing+radiation+through+measurement+of+current+sister+chromatid+exchange+(SCE)+rates+in+radiology+technologists,+compared+with+previous+SCE+values.">The evaluation of long-term effects of ionizing radiation through measurement of current sister chromatid exchange (SCE) rates in radiology technologists, compared with previous SCE values.</a> Mutat. Res. 757, 28-30 (2013).</li><li>Kanda, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-fluorescent+chromosome+painting+using+the+peroxidase/diaminobenzidine+(DAB)+reaction.">Non-fluorescent chromosome painting using the peroxidase/diaminobenzidine (DAB) reaction.</a> Int J Radiat Biol. 73, 529-533 (1998).</li><li>Kakazu, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+spectral+colour+banding+in+cytogenetic+analysis.">Development of spectral colour banding in cytogenetic analysis.</a> Lancet. 357, 529-530 (2001).</li><li>Rithidech, K. N., Honikel, L., Whorton, E. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=mFISH+analysis+of+chromosomal+damage+in+bone+marrow+cells+collected+from+CBA/CaJ+mice+following+whole+body+exposure+to+heavy+ions+(56Fe+ions).">mFISH analysis of chromosomal damage in bone marrow cells collected from CBA/CaJ mice following whole body exposure to heavy ions (56Fe ions).</a> Radiat Environ Biophys. 46, 137-145 (2007).</li><li>Abrahams, B. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Metaphase+FISHing+of+transgenic+mice+recommended:+FISH+and+SKY+define+BAC-mediated+balanced+translocation.">Metaphase FISHing of transgenic mice recommended: FISH and SKY define BAC-mediated balanced translocation.</a> Genesis. 36, 134-141 (2003).</li><li>Savage, J. R., Simpson, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=On+the+scoring+of+FISH-&amp;#34;painted&amp;#34;+chromosome-type+exchange+aberrations.">On the scoring of FISH-&amp;#34;painted&amp;#34; chromosome-type exchange aberrations.</a> Mutat. Res. 307, 345-353 (1994).</li><li>Savage, J. R., Simpson, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=FISH+"painting"+patterns+resulting+from+complex+exchanges.">FISH "painting" patterns resulting from complex exchanges.</a> Mutat. Res. 312, 51-60 (1994).</li><li>Tucker, J. 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Several critical steps determine the success of mFISH and SKY. The first and most critical step is to optimize the colchicine treatment for in vivo mitotic arrest of the bone marrow mononuclear cells. The colchicine concentration and treatment time individually or in concert determine the mitotic index as well as chromosome condensation-two important prerequisites for effective chromosome painting. A high colchicine concentration or longer treatment time leads to highly condensed chromosomes, incompatible for pr...

The two most reliable methods of identifying radiation-induced inter-chromosomal stable aberrations are multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH), which allows the painting of two or more chromosomes simultaneously, and spectral karyotyping (SKY), which imparts a distinct color to each homologous chromosome pair in the genome. Unlike unstable aberrations, stable aberrations are persistent in nature and may be propagated for several generations in irradiated populations1, and are regarded as critical molecular "signatures" of radiation-induced cytogenetic lesions2. Studies by various groups have shown that stable aberrations are associated with the pathogenesis and development of a number of diseases, including cancer3. Before the era of chromosome painting (also referred as molecular cytogenetics), the conventional G-banding technique was the only method for detecting stable chromosomal aberrations. However, chromosome banding is a challenge to cytogeneticists because the resolution is limited, reproducibility is uncertain, it is a labor-intensive procedure, and it requires highly skilled and experienced cytogeneticists for reliable data interpretation4. Moreover, the classic banding technique does not allow detection of complex chromosomal rearrangements, which involve the interaction of three or more breaks distributed among two or more chromosomes, a common outcome of radiation damage. Complex aberrations may persist in individuals many years after radiation exposure, making them useful for retrospective biodosimetry5. Therefore, an alternate approach was required to overcome the limitations of conventional banding techniques to detect stable chromosomal rearrangements. 
In the late 1960s, the pioneering work of Gall and Pardue (1969) on molecular hybridization using nucleic acid probes labeled with radioactive material commenced a new era in the field of cytogenetics, which allowed detection of a specific DNA sequence on chromosomes6. However, the use of radioactive probes for molecular hybridization had several drawbacks: radioactive probes are relatively unstable, probe activity depends on radioactive decay of the isotope used, hybridization takes a longer time, the resolution is limited, the probes are relatively costly, and the radioactive materials are a health hazardous. Thus, it became necessary to develop and design non-radioactive probes. The introduction of fluorescent tagged nucleic acid probes in the 1980s and 1990s overcame the limitations of radioactive probes and greatly enhanced the safety, sensitivity, and specificity of the hybridization technique7-10. Fluorescent probes give rise to extremely bright signals when observed under fluorescence microscopes equipped with the appropriate excitation and emission filters. Any loss, gain, or rearrangement of fluorescent labeled chromosome/s or a part of the chromosome is easily identifiable with this FISH technique.
Analysis of chromosomal aberrations by FISH painting has led to marked progress in cytogenetic research over the years. Designing fluorescent labeled probes for specific applications ranging from locus-specific probes to whole-chromosome painting probes has advanced the field significantly; this has also facilitated the detection of submicroscopic ("cryptic") rearrangement, which was not possible by conventional chromosome banding. Chromosome painting by mFISH and SKY have proven to be valuable tools for the identification of simple and complex inter-chromosomal rearrangements. The basic principles for both techniques are similar, but the method of detection and discrimination of fluorescent signal after in situ hybridization and the process of image acquisition are different. In mFISH, separate images of each of the four fluorochromes are captured by using narrow bandpass microscope filters; dedicated software is then used to combine the images. While in SKY, image acquirement is based on a combination of epifluorescence microscopy, charge-coupled device imaging, and Fourier spectroscopy, which allows the measurement of the entire emission spectrum with a single exposure at all image points. In both mFISH and SKY, monochrome images are captured independently, then merged, and finally, unique pseudo-colors are assigned to the chromosomes in monochromatic images based on the specific dye attached to each fluorochrome probe.
The contribution of mFISH and SKY analysis in the radiation biology field is remarkable, particularly for retrospective dose estimation of human exposure to IR (radiation biodosimetry)11-14, radiation carcinogenesis risk assessment15, as well as detection and risk estimation of radiotherapy-related secondary cancer16. A recent study on mice has shown that a FISH-based chromosome painting technique is also an important tool for evaluating the efficacy of radiation countermeasure17. In the present study, the effect of total body radiation exposure on the induction of stable chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice has been demonstrated using mFISH and SKY techniques.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="889">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:451px;">Formamide</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">221198-100ML</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">SSC Buffer 20&#215; Concentrate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S6639-1L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">SKY Laboratory Reagent for Mouse</td>
			<td>Applied Spectral Imaging</td>
			<td>FPRPR0030/M40</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">CAD - Concentrated Antibody Detection Kit</td>
			<td>Applied Spectral Imaging</td>
			<td>FPRPR0033</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Single Paints Customized - 3 Colors; Mouse chromosome 1: Red, Mouse chromosome 2: Green, Mouse chromosome 3: Aqua</td>
			<td>Applied Spectral Imaging</td>
			<td>FPRPR0182/10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Glass coverslips</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12-545B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Tween 20</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP337-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Hydrochloric acid, 37%, Acros Organics</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AC45055-0025&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Fisherbrand Glass Staining Dishes&#160; with Screw Cap</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>08-816</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">KaryoMAX Potassium Chloride Solution&#160;</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10575-090</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Fisherbrand Superfrost Plus Microscope Slides</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12-550-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Colcemid powder</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>50-464-757&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Histopaque-1083&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>10831</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="23">
			<td height="23" style="height:23px;">Shepherd Mark I, model 25 137Cs irradiator</td>
			<td>J. L. Shepherd &#38; Associates</td>
			<td>Model 484B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Syringe 1 ml</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>647911</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Ethyl Alcohol, 200 Proof</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>MEX02761</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">PBS, (1X PBS Liq.), w/o Calcium and Magnesium</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>ICN1860454</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10-437-010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Methanol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A454SK-4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Glacial acetic acid</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AC295320010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Zeiss Microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>AXIO Imager.Z2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

detection of inter-chromosomal stable aberrations by multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization (mfish) and spectral karyotyping (sky) in irradiated mice

Ionizing radiation (IR) induces numerous stable and unstable chromosomal aberrations. Unstable aberrations, where chromosome morphology is substantially compromised, can easily be identified by conventional chromosome staining techniques. However, detection of stable aberrations, which involve exchange or translocation of genetic materials without considerable modification in the chromosome morphology, requires sophisticated chromosome painting techniques that rely on in situ hybridization of fluorescently labeled DNA probes, a chromosome painting technique popularly known as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH probes can be specific for whole chromosome/s or precise sub-region on chromosome/s. The method not only allows visualization of stable aberrations, but it can also allow detection of the chromosome/s or specific DNA sequence/s involved in a particular aberration formation. A variety of chromosome painting techniques are available in cytogenetics; here two highly sensitive methods, multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) and spectral karyotyping (SKY), are discussed to identify inter-chromosomal stable aberrations that form in the bone marrow cells of mice after exposure to total body irradiation. Although both techniques rely on fluorescent labeled DNA probes, the method of detection and the process of image acquisition of the fluorescent signals are different. These two techniques have been used in various research areas, such as radiation biology, cancer cytogenetics, retrospective radiation biodosimetry, clinical cytogenetics, evolutionary cytogenetics, and comparative cytogenetics.

Total body irradiation induces numerous chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of irradiated mice. The current protocol is optimized for in vivo mitotic arrest of bone marrow cells after radiation exposure, harvest of bone marrow cells from the hind legs of irradiated mice, isolation of bone marrow mononuclear cells by density gradient centrifugation, preparation of metaphase cell spreads, and subsequent detection of radiation-induced stable chromosomal aberrations by m...

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Detection of Inter-chromosomal Stable Aberrations by Multiple Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization mFISH and Spectral Karyotyping SKY in Irradiated Mice

The present protocol describes the usefulness of multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) and spectral karyotyping (SKY) in identifying inter-chromosomal stable aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice after exposure to total body irradiation.

Detection of Inter-chromosomal Stable Aberrations by Multiple Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (mFISH) and Spectral Karyotyping (SKY) in Irradiated Mice

Ionizing radiation (IR) induces numerous stable and unstable chromosomal aberrations. Unstable aberrations, where chromosome morphology is substantially ...

The overall goal of this molecular cytogenic method is to observe interchromosomal stable aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice exposed to total body irradiation. This method can help answer the key question in the radiation biology field such as the risk of inducing stable chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice exposed to total body radiation. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows guided visualization of radiation induced stable genetic damages in the bone marrow cells of mice that can be propagated through many cell generations.After isolating bone marrow from mouse femur and tibia bones and making a single cell suspension according to the text protocol, carefully overlay the cell suspension on an equal volume of bone marrow mononuclear cell separation medium. Centrifuge the gradient at 400 times G at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then, carefully collect the buffy coat without disturbing the remaining layers and transfer the solution into a new 15 milliliter centrifuge tube.To prepare metaphase cell spreads, add 10 milliliters of PBS to the tube containing the buffy coat. Then centrifuge the tube at 400 times G at room temperature for five minutes. Next, carefully remove the supernatant and gently tap the tube to break up the cell pellet.Then add 10 milliliters of PBS and centrifuge the suspension again. Remove the supernatant without disturbing the cell pellet. Break up the pellet and add drop by drop four milliliters of pre-warmed hypotonic 0.075 molar potassium chloride solution with gentle, constant shaking.Incubate the cell suspension at 37 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes in a water bath. Then, add an equal volume of fixative to the tube and mix gently by inverting the tube. Centrifuge the tube, and remove the supernatant.Then, break up the cell pellet and add fresh fixative. Repeat the spinning and the addition of fixative five more times. After resuspending the cells in 400 to 600 microliters of fixative, drop 30 microliters of fixed cells onto precleaned and wet slides tilted at a 45 degree angle and allow the slides to air dry completely overnight.To carry out mouse chromosome painting by mFISH place the slide containing the metaphase cell spreads in 2X SSC for two minutes at room temperature. Then, dehydrate the slide by serial ethanol washing in 70%80%and 100%ethanol for two minutes in each wash. Preheat 40 milliliters of denaturation solution in a glass coplin jar to 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.Then transfer the slide into the prewarmed solution and incubate the sample for one to 1 1/2 minutes to denature the chromosomes. Immediately use ice cold 70%ethanol to quench the slide for two minutes to stop the denaturation process and prevent denatured chromosomes from reannealing. Then dehydrate the slide using an ethanol series beginning with 80%ethanol for two minutes.Next, place the slide in 100%ethanol for two minutes. Then completely dry the slide at room temperature. To denature the probe, briefly centrifuge the probe mixture supplied by the manufacturer, then transfer 10 microliters into a 500 microliter snap cap centrifuge tube and incubate the tube in a water bath at 80 degrees Celsius for seven minutes.Now place the tube containing the denatured probe into a water bath at 37 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Then apply the probe mixture onto a slide with denatured chromosomes. Carefully cover the area with an 18 millimeter by 18 millimeter glass coverslip and eliminate any visible air bubbles by very gently pressing the coverslip to the slide.Use rubber cement to seal all four sides of the coverslip. And incubate the slide in the dark in a humidified chamber at 37 degrees Celsius for 12 to 16 hours. Following hybridization, carefully remove the rubber cement and coverslip and place the slide in prewarmed 0.4X SSC at 74 degrees Celsius for five minutes.Then transfer the slide into washing solution three for two minutes. Add 20 microliters of antifade mounting medium with DAPI counterstain onto the slide and cover it with a glass coverslip. Use lab tissue paper to gently press on the coverslip to remove any air bubbles and excess mounting solution.Then use nail polish to seal the edges of the coverslip. View the slides using a fluorescent microscope equipped with the appropriate filters. For spectral karyotyping of mouse chromosomes, after the probes are hybridized onto the denatured chromosomes and the samples are washed according to the text protocol, apply 80 microliters of SY5 staining reagent to the slide.Place a 24 by 60 millimeter plastic coverslip on top of the sample, and incubate it in the dark in a humidified chamber at 37 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes. Dip the slide into a glass coplin jar containing prewarmed washing solution three and incubate it in a water bath at 45 degrees Celsius with shaking for two minutes. Repeat the wash three times.Apply 80 microliters of SY5.5 staining reagent to the sample, cover it with a 24 by 60 millimeter plastic coverslip, and incubate it in the dark in a humidified chamber at 37 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes. Use prewarmed washing solution three to wash the slide three times then hold the slide in a tilted position against a paper towel to drain the excess fluid. Add 20 microliters of antifade DAPI reagent to the sample and carefully place a glass coverslip on top without introducing any air bubbles.Use nail polish to seal the edges and observe the sample with an epifluorescence microscope equipped for capturing sky images. This figure shows representative metaphase cell spreads with normal and aberrant mouse chromosome pairs one, two, and three. Here is a stable aberration involving chromosome one where a part of chromosome one has been integrated into a non-painted DAPI chromosome while another part has formed an acentric fragment.In this example, a part of chromosome two has been integrated into a non-painted chromosome. This stable aberration involves chromosome three. Stable aberrations involving all three painted chromosomes are seen in this metaphase spread.Shown here is an example of spectro karyotyping of a normal female mouse. This panel represents a stable aberration involving chromosomes four and 12. Finally, the stable chromosomal aberration in this panel involves chromosome seven and 10.Once mastered, this technique can be done within 48 to 72 hours if it is done properly. While attempting this procedure, it is important to remember that only proliferating cells should be used. Following this procedure and other methods like in band can be used to answer additional questions like whether inter-chromosomal stable aberrations are present in the irradiated cells.After its development, this technique paved the way for the researchers in the field of molecular cytogenetics to explore the association between genetic aberrations with the various diseases. After watching this video you should have a clearer idea how to determine inter-chromosomal stable aberrations. Don't forget that working with colchicine can be extremely dangerous because it is carcinogen and precautions such as wearing gloves should always be taken while performing this experiment.

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9.8K vistas.  University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The overall goal of this molecular cytogenic method is to observe interchromosomal stable aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice exposed to total body irradiation. This method can help answer the key question in the radiation biology field such as the risk of inducing stable chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells of mice exposed to total body radiation. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows guided visualization of radiation induced stable genetic damages in th...

Video: Detection of Inter-chromosomal Stable Aberrations by Multiple Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization mFISH and Spectral Karyotyping SKY in Irradiated Mice