HAC was the Milton E. Cassel scholar of the Rita Allen Foundation (http://www.ritaallenfoundation.org). This work was funded by grants to HAC from National Institute of General Medical Sciences R01 GM081686, R01 AR070245, National Institute of General Medical Sciences R01 GM0866465, the Eli &#38; Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine &#38; Stem Cell Research (Rose Hills and Hal Gaba awards), the Iris Cantor Women&#8217;s Health Center/UCLA CTSI NIH Grant UL1TR000124, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Impact awards from the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center to WEL and HAC. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P50CA092131. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. HAC is a member of the Eli &#38; Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine &#38; Stem Cell Research, the UCLA Molecular Biology Institute, and the UCLA Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program.

All experiments described were approved by the Animal Care Committee at the University of California, Los Angeles.
1. Generate Slides of Frozen Mouse Skin
<ol>
	<li>Euthanize mice in accordance with institution policy. 
	Note: Follow institutional policy for protective clothing. All protocols involving animals must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care Committee.</li>
	<li>Remove the mouse&#8217;s hair with an animal hair trimmer.</li>
	<li>Make incisions in the skin using scisso...

<ol>
	<li>Boonacker, E., Van Noorden, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enzyme+cytochemical+techniques+for+metabolic+mapping+in+living+cells,+with+special+reference+to+proteolysis.">Enzyme cytochemical techniques for metabolic mapping in living cells, with special reference to proteolysis.</a> J Histochem Cytochem. 49, 1473-1486 (2001).</li><li>Seidler, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+tetrazolium-formazan+system:+Design+and+histochemistry.">The tetrazolium-formazan system: Design and histochemistry.</a> Prog Histochem Cytochem. 24, 1-86 (1991).</li><li>Van Noorden, C. J. F., Frederiks, W. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Enzyme Histochemistry: A Laboratory Manual of Current Methods. , (1992).</li><li>Winzer, K., Van Noorden, C. J., Kohler, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+cytochemical+analysis+of+glucose-6-phosphate+dehydrogenase+activity+in+living+isolated+hepatocytes+of+European+flounder+for+rapid+analysis+of+xenobiotic+effects.">Quantitative cytochemical analysis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in living isolated hepatocytes of European flounder for rapid analysis of xenobiotic effects.</a> J Histochem Cytochem. 49, 1025-1032 (2001).</li><li>Negi, D. S., Stephens, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+improved+method+for+the+histochemical+localization+of+glucose-6-phoshate+dehydrogenase+in+animal+and+plant+tissues.">An improved method for the histochemical localization of glucose-6-phoshate dehydrogenase in animal and plant tissues.</a> J Histochem Cytochem. 25, 149-154 (1977).</li><li>Boren, J., 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=In+situ+localization+of+transketolase+activity+in+epithelial+cells+of+different+rat+tissues+and+subcellularly+in+liver+parenchymal+cells.">In situ localization of transketolase activity in epithelial cells of different rat tissues and subcellularly in liver parenchymal cells.</a> J Histochem Cytochem. 54, 191-199 (2006).</li><li>Miller, A., 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=Exploring+metabolic+configurations+of+single+cells+within+complex+tissue+microenvironments.">Exploring metabolic configurations of single cells within complex tissue microenvironments.</a> Cell Metab. , (2017).</li><li>Shen, J., 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=Prognostic+value+of+serum+lactate+dehydrogenase+in+renal+cell+carcinoma:+a+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.">Prognostic value of serum lactate dehydrogenase in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.</a> PLoS One. 11, e0166482 (2016).</li><li>Zhang, X., 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=Prognostic+significance+of+serum+LDH+in+small+cell+lung+cancer:+A+systematic+review+with+meta-analysis.">Prognostic significance of serum LDH in small cell lung cancer: A systematic review with meta-analysis.</a> Cancer Biomark. 16, 415-423 (2016).</li><li>Petrelli, F., 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=Prognostic+role+of+lactate+dehydrogenase+in+solid+tumors:+a+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis+of+76+studies.">Prognostic role of lactate dehydrogenase in solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 76 studies.</a> Acta Oncol. 54, 961-970 (2015).</li><li>Valvona, C. J., Fillmore, H. L., Nunn, P. B., Pilkington, G. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+regulation+and+function+of+lactate+dehydrogenase+A:+Therapeutic+potential+in+brain+tumor.">The regulation and function of lactate dehydrogenase A: Therapeutic potential in brain tumor.</a> Brain Pathol. 26, 3-17 (2016).</li><li>Markert, C. L., Shaklee, J. B., Whitt, G. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evolution+of+a+gene:+Multiple+genes+for+LDH+isozymes+provide+a+model+of+the+evolution+of+gene+structure,+function+and+regulation.">Evolution of a gene: Multiple genes for LDH isozymes provide a model of the evolution of gene structure, function and regulation.</a> Science. 189, 102-114 (1975).</li><li>Read, J. A., Winter, V. J., Eszes, C. M., Sessions, R. B., Brady, R. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+basis+for+altered+activity+of+M-+and+H-isozyme+forms+of+human+lactate+dehydrogenase.">Structural basis for altered activity of M- and H-isozyme forms of human lactate dehydrogenase.</a> Proteins. 43, 175-185 (2001).</li><li>Holness, M. J., Sugden, M. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+pyruvate+dehydrogenase+complex+activity+by+reversible+phosphorylation.">Regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity by reversible phosphorylation.</a> Biochem Soc Trans. 31, 1143-1151 (2003).</li><li>Yi, W., 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=Phosphofructokinase+1+glycosylation+regulates+cell+growth+and+metabolism.">Phosphofructokinase 1 glycosylation regulates cell growth and metabolism.</a> Science. 337, 975-980 (2012).</li><li>Fan, J., 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=Tyrosine+phosphorylation+of+lactate+dehydrogenase+A+is+important+for+NADH/NAD(+)+redox+homeostasis+in+cancer+cells.">Tyrosine phosphorylation of lactate dehydrogenase A is important for NADH/NAD(+) redox homeostasis in cancer cells.</a> Mol Cell Biol. 31, 4938-4950 (2011).</li><li>Zhao, D., 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=Lysine-5+acetylation+negatively+regulates+lactate+dehydrogenase+A+and+is+decreased+in+pancreatic+cancer.">Lysine-5 acetylation negatively regulates lactate dehydrogenase A and is decreased in pancreatic cancer.</a> Cancer Cell. 23, 464-476 (2013).</li><li>Vanderlinde, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measurement+of+total+lactate+dehydrogenase+activity.">Measurement of total lactate dehydrogenase activity.</a> Ann Clin Lab Sci. 15, 13-31 (1985).</li><li>Nelson, S. J., 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=Metabolic+imaging+of+patients+with+prostate+cancer+using+hyperpolarized+[1-(1)(3)C]pyruvate.">Metabolic imaging of patients with prostate cancer using hyperpolarized [1-(1)(3)C]pyruvate.</a> Sci Transl Med. 5, 198ra108 (2013).</li><li>Flores, A., 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=Lactate+dehydrogenase+activity+drives+hair+follicle+stem+cell+activation.">Lactate dehydrogenase activity drives hair follicle stem cell activation.</a> Nat Cell Biol. , (2017).</li><li>Fischer, A. H., Jacobson, K. A., Rose, J., Zeller, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cryosectioning+tissues.">Cryosectioning tissues.</a> CSH Protoc. 2008, (2008).</li><li>Espada, J., 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-aqueous+permanent+mounting+for+immunofluorescence+microscopy.">Non-aqueous permanent mounting for immunofluorescence microscopy.</a> Histochem Cell Biol. 123, 329-334 (2005).</li><li>Hisada, R., Yagi, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=1-Methoxy-5-methylphenazinium+methyl+sulfate.+A+photochemically+stable+electron+mediator+between+NADH+and+various+electron+acceptors.">1-Methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate. A photochemically stable electron mediator between NADH and various electron acceptors.</a> J Biochem. 82, 1469-1473 (1977).</li></ol>

The method described here can be used to monitor the activity of lactate dehydrogenase or other metabolic enzymes that generate NADH or NADPH, in different cell types within a tissue or within different portions of a tissue over time. Lactate dehydrogenase is an important enzyme for understanding the biology of stem cells and tumors, and the ability to monitor lactate dehydrogenase activity in individual cells is likely to provide important insights into the function of this enzyme.
One import...

Understanding the locations within tissues in which enzymes have high or low activity is essential for understanding development and physiology. Transcript or protein levels are often used as surrogates for enzymatic activity. While such studies can be informative, they do not provide information that can be critical for determining an enzyme&#39;s activity, such as post-translational modifications, the presence of protein complexes, or the enzyme&#39;s subcellular localization. When enzymatic activity is directly measured, it is often monitored in homogenized protein lysates that no longer contain information about individual cells within the mixture or the spatial distribution of the cells with high or low activity within a tissue.
We provide here a detailed protocol for mapping the spatial distribution of enzymatic activity within a tissue sample. The methodology is based on earlier studies demonstrating that tetrazolium salts can be used to localize the activity of dehydrogenases, reductases, and oxidases in frozen tissue1. With these methods, a water-insoluble formazan is formed when protons are transferred to a tetrazolium salt2,3. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase generates NADPH and a proton, and has been detected with tetrazolium activity. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been monitored in in European flounder hepatocytes4, in alveolar type 2 cells of the lungs5 and nephrons of the kidney5. Tetrazolium salts have also been used to monitor transketolase activity in frozen tissue6. A similar approach was recently&#160;used to monitor the activity of multiple dehydrogenases in the same tissue on adjacent slides7.
We describe here a method to use tetrazolium salts to monitor the spatial distribution of lactate dehydrogenase activity (Figure 1). Lactate dehydrogenase can convert pyruvate generated by glycolysis to lactate, and the reverse reaction. Lactate dehydrogenase activity is consequently an important determinant of pyruvate&#39;s entrance into the tricarboxylic acid cycle versus its secretion as lactate. Lactate levels in the blood are often used to diagnose a range of diseases, including cancer8,9,10, because it can signal that illness or injury has damaged cells and the enzyme has been released.
There are four lactate dehydrogenase genes: LDHA, LDHB, LDHC, and LDHD11. LDHA and LDHB are thought to have arisen from duplication of an early LDHA gene12. LDH is active as a tetramer and LDHA and LDHB can form homotetramers and heterotetramers with each other. LDHA is reported to have higher affinity for pyruvate, while LDHB is reported to have higher affinity for lactate, and to preferentially convert lactate to pyruvate13. The LDHA promoter contains binding sites for the HIF1&#945;, cMYC and FOXM1 transcription factors11. In addition, like many other glycolytic enzymes14,15, LDH can be modified by post-translational modifications. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 can phosphorylate LDHA at Y10, which promotes tetramer formation, or Y83, which promotes NADH substrate binding16. LDHA can also be acetylated17. For these reasons, a complete understanding of LDH activity requires monitoring not only LDH protein levels, but the enzyme&#39;s activity as well.
In addition to the method we present here, other approaches have been used to monitor lactate dehydrogenase activity. Lactate dehydrogenase activity can be monitored spectrophotometrically in homogenized protein lysate. The generation of NADH as lactate is converted to pyruvate can be measured based on absorbance at 340 nm, while the disappearance of NADH can be monitored as pyruvate is converted to lactate18. Lactate dehydrogenase activity has also been monitored with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 13C- pyruvate can be administered and the conversion of pyruvate to lactate can be monitored as the ratio of [1-13C]lactate/[1-13C]pyruvate. Elevated ratios of [1-13C]lactate/[1-13C]pyruvate have been observed in cancer tissue19. While MRI-based approaches can provide information on lactate dehydrogenase activity in normal and disease tissues, the methodologies do not have the resolution needed to determine the activity level in specific cells. The methodology provided here can provide information on lactate dehydrogenase activity in tissue areas and even in single cells.
Using in situ activity assays, we found that the activity of lactate dehydrogenase is high in the hair follicle stem cells of mouse skin20. We also used the method to monitor the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in cultured embryonic stem cells and found the activity is higher in the stem cells than the feeder layer. Finally, we monitored the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in fresh mouse aorta and observed staining in smooth muscle cells. We describe here a detailed protocol for monitoring lactate dehydrogenase activity in frozen mouse skin.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:815px;" width="814">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:312px;">Surgical instruments</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:121px;"></td>
			<td style="width:217px;">For collecting skin from euthanized mice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Tissue-tek cryomold 25 mm x 20 mm x 5 mm</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">NC9511236</td>
			<td style="width:217px;">For freezing mouse skin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Tissue-Tek O.C.T. compound</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">NC9638938</td>
			<td style="width:217px;">For mounting cryomolds</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Ice bucket</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">07-210-106</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Dry Ice</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:121px;"></td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Polysine Adhesion Slide</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">12-545-78</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">4% formalin</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">23-245-684</td>
			<td style="width:217px;">Dilluted in water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:121px;"></td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">vortex</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:121px;"></td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Tris base</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">23-245-684</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">NAD</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">N7004</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Phenazine methosulfate</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">P9625</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="23">
			<td height="23" style="height:23px;width:312px;">Nitrotetrazolium blue chloride</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">N6876</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Lithium L-lactate</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">L2250</td>
			<td style="width:217px;">Substrate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">37&#176;C incubator (or tissue culture incubator)</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:121px;"></td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Braziliant! Counter stain</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Anatech</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">861</td>
			<td style="width:217px;">Counter stain</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Mounting medium</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">H-5000&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Cover slips for slides</td>
			<td style="width:164px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:121px;">12-544D</td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:312px;">Light microscope</td>
			<td style="width:164px;"></td>
			<td style="width:121px;"></td>
			<td style="width:217px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

mapping metabolism: monitoring lactate dehydrogenase activity directly in tissue

Mapping enzymatic activity in space and time is critical for understanding the molecular basis of cell behavior in normal tissue and disease. In situ metabolic activity assays can provide information about the spatial distribution of metabolic activity within a tissue. We provide here a detailed protocol for monitoring the activity of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase directly in tissue samples. Lactate dehydrogenase is an important determinant of whether consumed glucose will be converted to energy via aerobic or anaerobic glycolysis. A solution containing lactate and NAD is provided to a frozen tissue section. Cells with high lactate dehydrogenase activity will convert the provided lactate to pyruvate, while simultaneously converting provided nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to NADH and a proton, which can be detected based on the reduction of nitrotetrazolium blue to formazan, which is visualized as a blue precipitate. We describe a detailed protocol for monitoring lactate dehydrogenase activity in mouse skin. Applying this protocol, we found that lactate dehydrogenase activity is high in the quiescent hair follicle stem cells within the skin. Applying the protocol to cultured mouse embryonic stem cells revealed higher staining in cultured embryonic stem cells than mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Analysis of freshly isolated mouse aorta revealed staining in smooth muscle cells perpendicular to the aorta. The methodology provided can be used to spatially map the activity of enzymes that generate a proton in frozen or fresh tissue.

We have previously reported results for in situ activity assays in mouse skin20. As shown in Figure 3, we observed high levels of lactate dehydrogenase activity in the hair follicle stem cells at the base of the hair follicle when the procedures described above were followed. These findings were corroborated by fluorescence activated cell sorting of skin for hair follicle stem cells and confirming high lactate dehydrogenase ac...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Mapping Metabolism: Monitoring Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Directly in Tissue at JoVE.com

Mapping Metabolism: Monitoring Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Directly in Tissue

We describe a protocol for mapping the spatial distribution of enzymatic activity for enzymes that generate nicotinatmide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H) + H+ directly in tissue samples.

Mapping enzymatic activity in space and time is critical for understanding the molecular basis of cell behavior in normal tissue and disease. In situ ...

This method can help answer key questions in the biology field such as activity of enzymes at different locations within tissues. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows the researcher to detect enzymatic activity directly in the tissue samples. To begin this procedure, remove the mouse's hair with an animal hair trimmer.Make an incision on the skin of the back using scissors. Then, lift the skin up and cut it away. Next, fill the Cryomold with freezing reagent compound.Using needle nose forceps, place the skin sections into the field's Cryomold. Orient the skin sections so that the cross section of the skin from the epidermis to the dermis, hypodermis and muscle is visible. If possible, mount the experimental and control mice together in the same Cryomold, so they can be sectioned on to the same slide and processed together.Take care not to create bubbles. Place the Cryomold on a flat surface of a block of dry ice in an ice bucket. For storage, transfer the Cryomold into a negative 80 degree Celsius freezer.Samples can be maintained in the freezer for approximately three months without significant loss of enzymatic activity. For sectioning, using a cryostat set at negative 20 degree Celsius, slice the tissue to create seven to 10 micrometer-thick sections for the best skin morphology. In this procedure, establish the set of slides to be tested, which includes a control slide on which NAD will be withheld, another control slide on which the substrate lactate will be withheld, and a positive control slide from a frozen tissue block previously investigated.Briefly fix the slides containing the skin sections with 4%formalin for five minutes. Then, wash the slides with PBS. Next, vortex the reagents, including the NADP, PMS, nitrotetrazolium blue chloride, and lactate together for lactate dehydrogenase activity staining in an appropriately sized tube.Next, prepare a second solution in which all reagents are present except NAD. Subsequently, prepare a third solution in which all reagents are present except lactate. To incubate the slides and staining solution or control solutions, dip them into the solution at the same time.Then, incubate them in a humidified environment at 37 degree Celsius in the dark. Monitor the conversion of the staining solution from clear to blue. When the samples have reached the desired level of blueness, stop the reaction by removing the staining solution and rinsing them with PBS.Afterward, a counterstain on to the slides when the slides have reached an appropriate level of blueness. Counterstains that turn the nuclear red or green will provide good contrast with the blue created by the Formosan precipitant. Then, mount the slides with aqueous or non-aqueous mounting medium.One to three drops of mounting medium is sufficient depending on the size of the cover slip. Subsequently, image the slides under a light microscope. Take photographs of experimental and control samples, and all negative controls at 10X, 20X, and 40X magnification.The intensity of staining will increase over time as the same is incubated with the staining solution. As shown here, high levels of lactate dehydrogenase activity were observed in the hair follicle stem cells at the base of the hair follicle. Control samples that did not receive the lactate substrate did not show staining.These findings were corroborated by fluorescent activated cell sorting of skin for hair follicle stem cells and confirming high lactate dehydrogenase activity in the stem cell compartment with activity on sorted cells. Based on the findings that hair follicle stem cells have high lactate dehydrogenase activity, cultured embryonic stem cells were tested. Mouse embryonic fibroblast serving as a feeder layer were analyzed in the presence of embryonic stem cells or alone.High lactate dehydrogenase activity was observed in the embryonic stem cells as compared with the mouse embryonic fibroblast as shown in different time points. The staining protocol was also applied to freshly isolated tissue. Mouse aortas were dissected.Samples were incubated with Hank's balanced salt solution containing 0.5%Triton X for 10 minutes. Then, with the lactate dehydrogenase staining solution for 10 minutes. The images here show lactate dehydrogenase solution with and without lactate.While attempting this procedure, it's important to remember to use frozen tissue slices with intact enzymatic activity and the frozen blocks should not be too old. If prepared sections are being stored, the sections should not be allowed to dry out. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to visualize lactate dehydrogenase activity in the mouse skin.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

11.2K vistas.  UCLA. This method can help answer key questions in the biology field such as activity of enzymes at different locations within tissues. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows the researcher to detect enzymatic activity directly in the tissue samples. To begin this procedure, remove the mouse's hair with an animal hair trimmer.Make an incision on the skin of the back using scissors. Then, lift the skin up and cut it away. Next, fill the Cryomold with freezing reagent compound....