This study was supported by: a National Natural Science Foundation of China grant (No. 32000697); the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou (202102080139); the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (2019A1515110625, 2021A1515010619); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (11620324); a Research Grant of Key Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University (No. ZSYXM202107); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (21621054); and the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province of China (20191118142729581). We thank the medical experimental center of Jinan University. We thank Dr. Terra Bradley for careful editing of the manuscript.

Eggs and chicken embryos were handled with care and respect in accordance with the animal protocols approved by the Jinan University Animal Care and Use Committee.
1. Egg and plasmid preparation
<ol>
	<li>Egg preparation
	<ol>
		<li>Obtain fresh fertilized chicken eggs (Gallus gallus) from the South China Agricultural University and store at 16 &#176;C before incubation. For optimal viability, set all eggs for incubation within a week of arrival.</li>
		<li>Place eg...

<ol>
	<li>Hagerman, R. 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=Fragile+X+syndrome.">Fragile X syndrome.</a> Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 3, 17065 (2017).</li><li>Hinds, H. 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=Tissue+specific+expression+of+FMR-1+provides+evidence+for+a+functional+role+in+fragile+X+syndrome.">Tissue specific expression of FMR-1 provides evidence for a functional role in fragile X syndrome.</a> Nature Genetics. 3 (1), 36-43 (1993).</li><li>Frederikse, P. H., Nandanoor, A., Kasinathan, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fragile+X+Syndrome+FMRP+co-localizes+with+regulatory+targets+PSD-95,+GABA+receptors,+CaMKIIalpha,+and+mGluR5+at+fiber+cell+membranes+in+the+eye+lens.">Fragile X Syndrome FMRP co-localizes with regulatory targets PSD-95, GABA receptors, CaMKIIalpha, and mGluR5 at fiber cell membranes in the eye lens.</a> Neurochemical Research. 40 (11), 2167-2176 (2015).</li><li>Zorio, D. A., Jackson, C. M., Liu, Y., Rubel, E. W., Wang, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cellular+distribution+of+the+fragile+X+mental+retardation+protein+in+the+mouse+brain.">Cellular distribution of the fragile X mental retardation protein in the mouse brain.</a> Journal of Comparative Neurology. 525 (4), 818-849 (2017).</li><li>Darnell, J. C., 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=FMRP+stalls+ribosomal+translocation+on+mRNAs+linked+to+synaptic+function+and+autism.">FMRP stalls ribosomal translocation on mRNAs linked to synaptic function and autism.</a> Cell. 146 (2), 247-261 (2011).</li><li>Bakker, C. E., Oostra, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Understanding+fragile+X+syndrome:+insights+from+animal+models.">Understanding fragile X syndrome: insights from animal models.</a> Cytogenetic and Genome Research. 100 (1-4), 111-123 (2003).</li><li>Hanson, J. E., Madison, D. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Presynaptic+FMR1+genotype+influences+the+degree+of+synaptic+connectivity+in+a+mosaic+mouse+model+of+fragile+X+syndrome.">Presynaptic FMR1 genotype influences the degree of synaptic connectivity in a mosaic mouse model of fragile X syndrome.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 27 (15), 4014-4018 (2007).</li><li>Deng, P. Y., Sojka, D., Klyachko, V. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Abnormal+presynaptic+short-term+plasticity+and+information+processing+in+a+mouse+model+of+fragile+X+syndrome.">Abnormal presynaptic short-term plasticity and information processing in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 31 (30), 10971-10982 (2011).</li><li>Patel, A. B., Hays, S. A., Bureau, I., Huber, K. M., Gibson, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+target+cell-specific+role+for+presynaptic+Fmr1+in+regulating+glutamate+release+onto+neocortical+fast-spiking+inhibitory+neurons.">A target cell-specific role for presynaptic Fmr1 in regulating glutamate release onto neocortical fast-spiking inhibitory neurons.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 33 (6), 2593-2604 (2013).</li><li>Patel, A. B., Loerwald, K. W., Huber, K. M., Gibson, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postsynaptic+FMRP+promotes+the+pruning+of+cell-to-cell+connections+among+pyramidal+neurons+in+the+L5A+neocortical+network.">Postsynaptic FMRP promotes the pruning of cell-to-cell connections among pyramidal neurons in the L5A neocortical network.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 34 (9), 3413-3418 (2014).</li><li>Higashimori, 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=Selective+deletion+of+astroglial+FMRP+dysregulates+glutamate+transporter+GLT1+and+contributes+to+Fragile+X+syndrome+phenotypes+in+vivo.">Selective deletion of astroglial FMRP dysregulates glutamate transporter GLT1 and contributes to Fragile X syndrome phenotypes in vivo.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 36 (27), 7079-7094 (2016).</li><li>Hodges, J. 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=Astrocytic+contributions+to+synaptic+and+learning+abnormalities+in+a+mouse+model+of+Fragile+X+syndrome.">Astrocytic contributions to synaptic and learning abnormalities in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome.</a> Biological Psychiatry. 82 (2), 139-149 (2017).</li><li>Gonzalez, 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=Audiogenic+seizures+in+the+Fmr1+knock-out+mouse+are+induced+by+Fmr1+deletion+in+subcortical,+VGlut2-expressing+excitatory+neurons+and+require+deletion+in+the+inferior+colliculus.">Audiogenic seizures in the Fmr1 knock-out mouse are induced by Fmr1 deletion in subcortical, VGlut2-expressing excitatory neurons and require deletion in the inferior colliculus.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 39 (49), 9852-9863 (2019).</li><li>Bland, K. 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=FMRP+regulates+the+subcellular+distribution+of+cortical+dendritic+spine+density+in+a+non-cell-autonomous+manner.">FMRP regulates the subcellular distribution of cortical dendritic spine density in a non-cell-autonomous manner.</a> Neurobiology of Disease. 150, 105253 (2021).</li><li>Pfeiffer, B. E., Huber, K. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fragile+X+mental+retardation+protein+induces+synapse+loss+through+acute+postsynaptic+translational+regulation.">Fragile X mental retardation protein induces synapse loss through acute postsynaptic translational regulation.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 27 (12), 3120-3130 (2007).</li><li>Pfeiffer, B. E., 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=Fragile+X+mental+retardation+protein+is+required+for+synapse+elimination+by+the+activity-dependent+transcription+factor+MEF2.">Fragile X mental retardation protein is required for synapse elimination by the activity-dependent transcription factor MEF2.</a> Neuron. 66 (2), 191-197 (2010).</li><li>Deng, P. Y., 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=FMRP+regulates+neurotransmitter+release+and+synaptic+information+transmission+by+modulating+action+potential+duration+via+BK+channels.">FMRP regulates neurotransmitter release and synaptic information transmission by modulating action potential duration via BK channels.</a> Neuron. 77 (4), 696-711 (2013).</li><li>Yang, Y. 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=Identification+of+a+molecular+locus+for+normalizing+dysregulated+GABA+release+from+interneurons+in+the+Fragile+X+brain.">Identification of a molecular locus for normalizing dysregulated GABA release from interneurons in the Fragile X brain.</a> Molecular Psychiatry. 25 (9), 2017-2035 (2020).</li><li>Razak, K. A., Dominick, K. C., Erickson, 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=Developmental+studies+in+fragile+X+syndrome.">Developmental studies in fragile X syndrome.</a> Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. 12 (1), 13 (2020).</li><li>Wang, X., Zorio, D. A. R., Schecterson, L., Lu, Y., Wang, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postsynaptic+FMRP+regulates+synaptogenesis+in+vivo+in+the+developing+cochlear+nucleus.">Postsynaptic FMRP regulates synaptogenesis in vivo in the developing cochlear nucleus.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 38 (29), 6445-6460 (2018).</li><li>Wang, 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=Temporal-specific+roles+of+fragile+X+mental+retardation+protein+in+the+development+of+the+hindbrain+auditory+circuit.">Temporal-specific roles of fragile X mental retardation protein in the development of the hindbrain auditory circuit.</a> Development. 147 (21), (2020).</li><li>Rubel, E. W., Fritzsch, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Auditory+system+development:+primary+auditory+neurons+and+their+targets.">Auditory system development: primary auditory neurons and their targets.</a> Annual Review of Neuroscience. 25, 51-101 (2002).</li><li>Cramer, K. S., Fraser, S. E., Rubel, E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+origins+of+auditory+brain-stem+nuclei+in+the+chick+hindbrain.">Embryonic origins of auditory brain-stem nuclei in the chick hindbrain.</a> Developmental Biology. 224 (2), 138-151 (2000).</li><li>Chervenak, A. P., Hakim, I. S., Barald, K. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatiotemporal+expression+of+Zic+genes+during+vertebrate+inner+ear+development.">Spatiotemporal expression of Zic genes during vertebrate inner ear development.</a> Developmental Dynamics. 242 (7), 897-908 (2013).</li><li>Hamburger, V., Hamilton, H. 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+series+of+normal+stages+in+the+development+of+the+chick+embryo.">A series of normal stages in the development of the chick embryo.</a> Journal of Morphology. 88 (1), 49-92 (1951).</li><li>Lu, T., Cohen, A. L., Sanchez, J. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+ovo+electroporation+in+the+chicken+auditory+brainstem.">In ovo electroporation in the chicken auditory brainstem.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (124), e56628 (2017).</li><li>Evsen, L., Doetzlhofer, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+transfer+into+the+chicken+auditory+organ+by+in+ovo+micro-electroporation.">Gene transfer into the chicken auditory organ by in ovo micro-electroporation.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (110), e53864 (2016).</li><li>Schecterson, L. C., Sanchez, J. T., Rubel, E. W., Bothwell, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=TrkB+downregulation+is+required+for+dendrite+retraction+in+developing+neurons+of+chicken+nucleus+magnocellularis.">TrkB downregulation is required for dendrite retraction in developing neurons of chicken nucleus magnocellularis.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 32 (40), 14000-14009 (2012).</li><li>Wang, X. Y., 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=High+glucose+environment+inhibits+cranial+neural+crest+survival+by+activating+excessive+autophagy+in+the+chick+embryo.">High glucose environment inhibits cranial neural crest survival by activating excessive autophagy in the chick embryo.</a> Scientific Reports. 5, 18321 (2015).</li><li>Yu, X., Wang, X., Sakano, H., Zorio, D. A. R., Wang, Y. <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+the+fragile+X+mental+retardation+protein+correlates+with+cellular+and+synaptic+properties+in+primary+auditory+neurons+following+afferent+deprivation.">Dynamics of the fragile X mental retardation protein correlates with cellular and synaptic properties in primary auditory neurons following afferent deprivation.</a> Journal of Comparative Neurology. 529 (3), 481-500 (2021).</li><li>Li, 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=Islet-1+expression+in+the+developing+chicken+inner+ear.">Islet-1 expression in the developing chicken inner ear.</a> Journal of Comparative Neurology. 477 (1), 1-10 (2004).</li><li>Carr, C. E., Boudreau, 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=Central+projections+of+auditory+nerve+fibers+in+the+barn+owl.">Central projections of auditory nerve fibers in the barn owl.</a> Journal of Comparative Neurology. 314 (2), 306-318 (1991).</li><li>Sandell, L. L., Butler Tjaden, N. E., Barlow, A. J., Trainor, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cochleovestibular+nerve+development+is+integrated+with+migratory+neural+crest+cells.">Cochleovestibular nerve development is integrated with migratory neural crest cells.</a> Developmental Biology. 385 (2), 200-210 (2014).</li><li>Cramer, K. S., Bermingham-McDonogh, O., Krull, C. E., Rubel, E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=EphA4+signaling+promotes+axon+segregation+in+the+developing+auditory+system.">EphA4 signaling promotes axon segregation in the developing auditory system.</a> Developmental Biology. 269 (1), 26-35 (2004).</li><li>Evsen, L., Sugahara, S., Uchikawa, M., Kondoh, H., Wu, D. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Progression+of+neurogenesis+in+the+inner+ear+requires+inhibition+of+Sox2+transcription+by+neurogenin1+and+neurod1.">Progression of neurogenesis in the inner ear requires inhibition of Sox2 transcription by neurogenin1 and neurod1.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 33 (9), 3879-3890 (2013).</li><li>Curnow, E., Wang, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+animal+models+for+understanding+FMRP+functions+and+FXS+pathology.">New animal models for understanding FMRP functions and FXS pathology.</a> Cells. 11 (10), 1628 (2022).</li></ol>

To determine the cell-autonomous function of FMRP, manipulating its expression in individual cell groups or cell types is necessary. Since one of the major functions of FMRP is to regulate synaptic formation and plasticity, selectively manipulating each synaptic component of a certain circuit is prerequisite for a full understanding of FMRP mechanism in synaptic communication. Using in ovo electroporation of chicken embryos, we demonstrated a method to target FMRP expression in t...

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, sensory abnormalities, and autistic behaviors. In most cases, FXS is caused by a global loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP; encoded by Fmr1 gene) starting at early embryonic stages1. FMRP is an RNA-binding protein that is normally expressed in most neurons and glial cells in the brain, as well as in sensory organs2,3,4. In mammalian brains, FMRP is likely associated with hundreds of mRNAs that encode proteins that are important for various neural activities5. Studies of conventional Fmr1 knockout animals demonstrated that FMRP expression is particularly important to the assembly and plasticity of synaptic neurotransmission6. Several conditional and mosaic knockout models have further demonstrated that FMRP actions and signals vary across brain regions, cell types, and synaptic sites&#160;during several developmental events including axonal projection, dendritic patterning, and synaptic plasticity7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14. Acute function of FMRP in regulating synaptic transmission was studied by intracellular delivery of inhibitory FMRP antibodies or FMRP itself in brain slices or cultured neurons15,16,17,18. These methods, however, do not offer the ability to track FMRP misexpression-induced consequences during development. Thus, developing in vivo methods to investigate the cell-autonomous functions of FMRP is in great need, and expected to help determine whether the reported anomalies in FXS patients are direct consequences of FMRP loss in the associated neurons and circuits, or secondary consequences derived from network-wide changes during development19.
The auditory brainstem of chicken embryos offers a uniquely advantageous model for in-depth functional analyses of FMRP regulation in circuit and synapse development. The easy access to embryonic chicken brains and the well-established in ovo electroporation technique for genetic manipulation have contributed greatly to our understanding of brain development at early embryonic stages. In a recently published study, this technique was combined with advanced molecular tools that allow temporal control of FMRP misexpression20,21. Here, the methodology is advanced to induce selective manipulations of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons separately. This method was developed in the auditory brainstem circuit. Acoustic signal is detected by hair cells in the auditory inner ear and then conveyed to the auditory ganglion (AG; also called the spiral ganglion in mammals). Bipolar neurons in the AG innervate hair cells with their peripheral processes and in turn send a central projection (the auditory nerve) to the brainstem where they terminate in two primary cochlear nuclei, the nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and the nucleus angularis (NA). Neurons in the NM are structurally and functionally comparable to the spherical bushy cells of the mammalian anteroventral cochlear nucleus. Within the NM, auditory nerve fibers (ANFs) synapse on the somata of NM neurons via the large endbulb of Held terminals22. During development, NM neurons arise from rhombomeres 5 and 6 (r5/6) in the hindbrain23, while AG neurons are derived from neuroblasts residing in the otocyst24. Here, we describe the procedure to selectively knockdown FMRP expression in the presynaptic AG neurons and in the postsynaptic NM neurons separately.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Egg incubation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>16 &#176;C refrigerator</td>
			<td>MAGAT</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Used for fertilized egg storage.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Egg incubator</td>
			<td>SHANGHAI BOXUN</td>
			<td>GZX-9240MBE</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fertilized eggs</td>
			<td>Farm of South China Agricultural University</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Eggs must be used in one week for optimal viability.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasmid preparation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>10016</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fast green</td>
			<td>Solarbio</td>
			<td>G1661</td>
			<td>Make 0.1% working solution in distilled water and autoclave.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plasmid Maxi-prep kit</td>
			<td>QIAGEN</td>
			<td>12162</td>
			<td>Dissolve plasmid DNA in Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer; endotoxin-free preparation kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Acetate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S2889</td>
			<td>Make 7.5M working solution in nuclase-free water.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electroporation and Doxycycline Administration</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electroporator</td>
			<td>BTX</td>
			<td>ECM399</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 mL / 5 mL Syringe</td>
			<td>GUANGZHOU KANGFULAI</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting microscope</td>
			<td>CNOPTEC</td>
			<td>SZM-42</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Doxcycline</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D9891</td>
			<td>Use fresh aliquots for each dose and store at -20 &#176;C.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass capillary</td>
			<td>BEIBOBOMEI</td>
			<td>RD0910</td>
			<td>0.9-1.1 mm*100 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laboratory parafilm</td>
			<td>PARAFILM</td>
			<td>PM996</td>
			<td>transparent film</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipette puller</td>
			<td>CHENGDU INSTRUMENT FACTORY</td>
			<td>WD-2</td>
			<td>Pulling condition: 500 &#176;C for 15 s</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Platinum elctrodes</td>
			<td>Home made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>0.5 mm diameter, 1.5 mm interval.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Platinum elctrodes</td>
			<td>Home made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>0.5 mm diameter, 1.5 mm interval.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rubber tube</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A5177</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Dissection and Fixation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps</td>
			<td>RWD</td>
			<td>F11020-11</td>
			<td>Tip size: 0.05*0.01 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Other surgery tools</td>
			<td>RWD</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>158127</td>
			<td>Freshly made 4% PFA solution in phosphate-buffered saline can be stored in 4 &#176;C for up to 1 week.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SYLGARD 184 Silicone Elastomer Kit</td>
			<td>DOW</td>
			<td>01673921</td>
			<td>For black background plates, food-grade carbon powder is applied.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sectioning</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cryostat</td>
			<td>LEICA</td>
			<td>CM1850</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gelatin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G9391</td>
			<td>From bovine skin.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sliding microtome</td>
			<td>LEICA</td>
			<td>SM2010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Immunostaining</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti-Mouse</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab150113</td>
			<td>1:500 dilution, RRID: AB_2576208</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 555 goat anti-rabbit</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab150078</td>
			<td>1:500 dilution, RRID: AB_2722519</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab285390</td>
			<td>1: 1000 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluoromount-G mounting medium</td>
			<td>Southern&#160;Biotech</td>
			<td>Sb-0100-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FMRP antibody</td>
			<td>Y. Wang, Florida State University</td>
			<td>#8263</td>
			<td>1:1000 dilution, RRID: AB_2861242</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Islet-1 antibody</td>
			<td>DSHB</td>
			<td>39.3F7</td>
			<td>1:100 dilution, RRID: AB_1157901</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Netwell plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3478</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neurofilament antibody</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>N4142</td>
			<td>1:1000 dilution, RRID: AB_477272</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Parvalbumin antibody</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P3088</td>
			<td>1:10000 dilution, RRID: AB_477329</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SNAP25 antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab66066</td>
			<td>1:1000 dilution, RRID: AB_2192052</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imaging</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adobe photoshop</td>
			<td>ADOBE</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>image editing software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal microscope</td>
			<td>LEICA</td>
			<td>SP8</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescent stereomicroscope</td>
			<td>OLYMPUS</td>
			<td>MVX10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Olympus Image-Pro Plus 7.0</td>
			<td>OlYMPUS</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>commercial image processing software package</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

dissecting cell-autonomous function of fragile x mental retardation protein in an auditory circuit by in ovo electroporation

Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an mRNA-binding protein that regulates local protein translation. FMRP loss or dysfunction leads to aberrant neuronal and synaptic activities in fragile X syndrome (FXS), which is characterized by intellectual disability, sensory abnormalities, and social communication problems. Studies of FMRP function and FXS pathogenesis have primarily been conducted with Fmr1 (the gene encoding FMRP) knockout in transgenic animals. Here we report an in vivo method for determining the cell-autonomous function of FMRP during the period of circuit assembly and synaptic formation using chicken embryos. This method employs stage-, site-, and direction-specific electroporation of a drug-inducible vector system containing Fmr1 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) and an EGFP reporter. With this method, we achieved selective FMRP knockdown in the auditory ganglion (AG) and in one of its brainstem targets, the nucleus magnocellularis (NM), thus providing a component-specific manipulation within the AG-NM circuit. Additionally, the mosaic pattern of the transfection allows within-animal controls and neighboring neuron/fiber comparisons for enhanced reliability and sensitivity in data analyzing. The inducible vector system provides temporal control of gene editing onset to minimize accumulating developmental effects. The combination of these strategies provides an innovative tool to dissect the cell-autonomous function of FMRP in synaptic and circuit development.

By performing in ovo electroporation at different sites and at different developmental stages, we achieved selective FMRP knockdown either in the auditory periphery or in the auditory brainstem.
FMRP knockdown in NM 
Small hairpin RNA (shRNA) against the chicken Fmr1 was designed and cloned into the Tet-On vector system as described previously20. The setup for in ovo electroporation is shown in Figure...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissecting Cell-Autonomous Function of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in an Auditory Circuit by In Ovo Electroporation at JoVE.com

Dissecting Cell-Autonomous Function of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in an Auditory Circuit by In Ovo Electroporation

Using in ovo electroporation, we devised a method to selectively transfect the auditory inner ear and cochlear nucleus in chicken embryos to achieve a cell-group-specific knockdown of fragile X mental retardation protein during discrete periods of circuit assembly.

Dissecting Cell-Autonomous Function of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in an Auditory Circuit by In Ovo Electroporation

Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an mRNA-binding protein that regulates local protein translation. FMRP loss or dysfunction leads to ...

Our protocol is an in vivo method to investigate the cell-autonomous functions of FMRP during development. This can help to understand the cell type-specific pathophysiology of fragile X syndrome. This method employs stage, site, and direction-specific electroporation of a drug-inducible vector system containing Fmr1 small hairpin RNA.With this method, we achieve the selective FMRP knockdown in the auditory circuit. This method can also be applied to investigate the function of other genes in the auditory circuit or the vestibular system. Begin by placing the eggs horizontally to position the embryo on the top of the egg for easy manipulation.Incubate at 38 degrees Celsius for 46 to 48 hours until Hamburger and Hamilton, or HH stage 12, for neural tube transfection or for 54 to 56 hours until HH 13 for otocyst transfection. Remove the eggs from the incubator, one dozen eggs at a time. Keeping eggs out of their incubator for more than one hour introduces developmental variations and reduces viability.Use a flashlight to cast light from the bottom of the egg. The location of the embryo appears as a dark area on the eggshell. Mark the location of the embryo on the eggshell with a pencil.Wipe the eggs with gauze containing 75%ethanol and drill a hole in the pointy end of the eggs using the tip of scissors. Then, remove two milliliters of albumin with an 18-gauge needle syringe. Ensure the hole is only large enough to allow the needle insertion.Wipe away any leaking albumin with gauze and seal the hole with clear tape. Cover the top of the eggs with clear tape, centering on the pencil-marked dark area to minimize cracks and prevent falling shell debris during windowing. Wipe all surgery tools with gauze containing 75%ethanol and wipe the tape-covered area with 75%ethanol.Use a small pair of scissors to cut a one to two square-centimeter window around the circumference of the pencil mark. Hold the scissors flat to avoid damaging the embryo underneath. Place the windowed egg under a stereomicroscope with a 10X eye piece and 2X zoom.Fill a one-milliliter syringe with the ink solution and then fit a 27-gauge needle. Bend the needle to a 45 degree angle with forceps. Under the microscope, carefully poke from the edge of the area opaqua and insert the needle beneath the embryo.Inject around 50 microliters of ink, which will diffuse below the area pellucida, for embryo visualization. The ink will form a dark background for the clear visualization of the embryo. Pull glass capillaries into pipettes using a pipette puller.Under a dissecting microscope, carefully open the tip of the capillary needle to 10 to 20 micrometers in diameter with forceps. Store the pipettes in a storage box until use. Next, fill a capillary pipette with 0.5 to 1 microliters of the plasmid mixture by applying negative pressure through a rubber tube at the end of the pipette with a syringe.Place the egg under the microscope so that the embryo is vertically oriented with the tail near to you. Hold the capillary pipette with one hand or with the three-axis manipulator and drive the tip of the pipette to the rhombomere 5 to 6. in a tail-to-head direction.Gently poke the tip through the vitellin membrane and into the dorsal neural tube, and then withdraw the pipette a bit so the tip is in the lumen of the neural tube. Inject the plasmid mixture by applying air pressure until the tinted plasmid diffuses fully into rhombomere 5 to 6 and extends into rhombomere 3 and rhombomere 4. Check for successful injection, which is achieved when the blue plasmid solution rapidly diffuses down the neural tube without leaking.When leaking occurs, the blue quickly fades. Immediately after the injection, place a platinum bipolar electrode on either side of the neural tube. Deliver two pulses of 12 volts and 50 milliseconds duration with an electroporator.Observe air bubbles at the ends of the bipolar electrode, with more on the negative side. Check for successful electroporation, which is achieved when the tinted plasmid mixture enters the neural tube tissue near the positive side of the electrode. After electroporation, carefully remove the bipolar electrode.Cover the window on the the eggshell with a piece of transparent film precut to two-inch squares and sprayed with 75%ethanol. Place the egg back into its incubator. Clean the bipolar electrode by delivering 10 to 20 pulses of 12 volts and 50 milliseconds duration in saline before proceeding to the next egg.Under the microscope, place the egg in such a way that the embryo is vertical with the tail near you. Hold the capillary pipette and gently poke the right otocyst in dorsolateral direction. Inject the plasmid mixture with air pressure until the otocyst is filled with blue solution.Check for a successful injection, which is achieved when the blue plasmid mixture is confined within the otocyst and doesn't leak. Immediately after the injection, place the bipolar electrode on the otocyst and position the positive and negative sides anterior and posterior to the otocyst, respectively. Deliver two pulses of 12 volts and 50 milliseconds duration with the electroporator.Check for successful electroporation, which is achieved when the blue plasmid mixture enters the tissue of the otocyst near the positive side of the electrode. After electroporation, carefully remove the bipolar electrode and cover the window on the eggshell with a transparent film. Finally, return the egg to the incubator.The representative image shows an example of embryonic day three, or E3, following neuro tube transfection and dox treatment at embryonic day two, or E2.Transfected cells with Fmr1 shRNA and EGFP on the cross section are shown here. EGFP-expressing cells were confined to one side of the neural tube and the brainstem. A cross section at E15 with EGFP-expressing nucleus magnocellularis, or NM neurons, on the transfected side is shown here.On the contralateral side, EGFP-containing axons were seen in the ventral portion of the nucleus laminaris, or NL.The knockdown effect of Fmr1 shRNA was validated by marked reductions in FMRP immunoreactivity in transfected NM neurons compared to neighboring non-transfected neurons. The auditory ganglion at E19 with FMRP immunoreactivity is shown here. Auditory ganglion neurons were not transfected.Some glial cells derived from the cranial neural crest cells were transfected. The representative images show FMRP knock-down in the auditory duct following otocyst transfection. Auditory ducts at E9 exhibited extensive EGFP fluorescence.On transverse sections, EGFP-expressing cells were located in the basilar papilla and the auditory ganglion. The knockdown effect of Fmr1 shRNA was validated by reduced FMRP immunoreactivity in transfected hair cells as compared to neighboring non-transfected hair cells. Similarly, FMRP immunoreactivity was largely diminished in transfected auditory ganglion neurons.The central projection of the transfected auditory ganglion neurons was tracked to the brainstem via the auditory nerve with characterized endbulb terminals. While attempting this procedure, the most important thing is to control the site and direction of electroporation for selective transfection. Following this procedure, single cell type filling, immunostaining, cell sorting followed with mass spectrum, or single-cell sequencing can be performed to reveal the changes at morphological and biochemical levels.This technique also enables selective editing of other genes with temporal control and component specificity in the auditory ear for stem circuits and can be modified to manipulate the vestibular system.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

2.1K vistas.  Jinan University. Nuestro protocolo es un método in vivo para investigar las funciones autónomas celulares de FMRP durante el desarrollo. Esto puede ayudar a comprender la fisiopatología específica del tipo de célula del síndrome X frágil. Este método emplea electroporación específica de etapa, sitio y dirección de un sistema vectorial inducible por fármaco que contiene ARN horquilla pequeño Fmr1.Con este método, conseguimos el knockdown selectivo de FMRP en el circuito auditivo. Este mét...