Name: use of single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (sm-fish) to quantify and localize mrnas in murine oocytes
Uploaded: 2019-04-24T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Use of Single Molecule Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization SM-FISH to Quantify and Localize mRNAs in Murine Oocytes at JoVE.com

We thank Dr. Daniel R. Larson for his generous help with the installation and use of the Spot Finding and Tracking Program&#160;13&#160;and the technical support of the University of Nebraska Lincoln Microscopy Core for the confocal microscopy imaging. This study represents a contribution of the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division, Lincoln, Nebraska and was supported by UNL Hatch Funds (NEB-26-206/Accession number -232435 and NEB-26-231/Accession number -1013511).

Animal procedures were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and all methods were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. For this study, CD-1 outbred mice had ad libitum access to normal rodent chow and water; they were maintained in a 12:12 dark: light cycle.
1. Preparation of required media
<ol>
	<li>For base media (OMM), add 100 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 0.5 mM KH2PO4, and 1....

<ol>
	<li>Vogelstein, B., Kinzler, K. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Digital+PCR.">Digital PCR.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 96 (16), 9236-9241 (1999).</li><li>MacK, E. M., Smith, J. E., Kurz, S. G., Wood, 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=CAMP-dependent+regulation+of+ovulatory+response+genes+is+amplified+by+IGF1+due+to+synergistic+effects+on+Akt+phosphorylation+and+NF-kB+transcription+factors.">CAMP-dependent regulation of ovulatory response genes is amplified by IGF1 due to synergistic effects on Akt phosphorylation and NF-kB transcription factors.</a> Reproduction. 144 (5), 595-602 (2012).</li><li>Xie, F., Timme, K. A., Wood, 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=Using+Single+Molecule+mRNA+Fluorescent+in+Situ+Hybridization+(RNA-FISH)+to+Quantify+mRNAs+in+Individual+Murine+Oocytes+and+Embryos.">Using Single Molecule mRNA Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (RNA-FISH) to Quantify mRNAs in Individual Murine Oocytes and Embryos.</a> Scientific Reports. 8 (1), 7930 (2018).</li><li>Ruebel, M. 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=Obesity+modulates+inflammation+and+lipidmetabolism+oocyte+gene+expression:+A+single-cell+transcriptome+perspective.">Obesity modulates inflammation and lipidmetabolism oocyte gene expression: A single-cell transcriptome perspective.</a> Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 102 (6), 2029-2038 (2017).</li><li>Borensztein, M., Syx, L., Servant, N., Heard, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Mouse Oocyte Development. 1818, 51-65 (2018).</li><li>Jansova, D., Tetkova, A., Koncicka, M., Kubelka, M., Susor, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Localization+of+RNA+and+translation+in+the+mammalian+oocyte+and+embryo.">Localization of RNA and translation in the mammalian oocyte and embryo.</a> PLoS ONE. 13 (3), 1-25 (2018).</li><li>Player, A. N., Shen, L. P., Kenny, D., Antao, V. P., Kolberg, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-copy+gene+detection+using+branched+DNA+(bDNA)+in+situ+hybridization.">Single-copy gene detection using branched DNA (bDNA) in situ hybridization.</a> Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry. 49 (5), 603-611 (2001).</li><li>Wang, 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=RNAscope:+A+novel+in+situ+RNA+analysis+platform+for+formalin-fixed,+paraffin-embedded+tissues.">RNAscope: A novel in situ RNA analysis platform for formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues.</a> Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. 14 (1), 22-29 (2012).</li><li>Itzkovitz, S., van Oudenaarden, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Validating+transcripts+with+probes+and+imaging+technology.">Validating transcripts with probes and imaging technology.</a> Nature Methods. 8 (4), S12-S19 (2011).</li><li>Derti, 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=ProbeDesigner:+for+the+design+of+probesets+for+branched+DNA+(bDNA)+signal+amplification+assays.">ProbeDesigner: for the design of probesets for branched DNA (bDNA) signal amplification assays.</a> Bioinformatics. 15 (5), 348-355 (1999).</li><li>Larson, B., Malayter, D., Shure, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiplexed+Detection+of+Cytokine+Cancer+Biomarkers+using+Fluorescence+RNA+In+Situ+Hybridization+and+Cellular+Imaging.">Multiplexed Detection of Cytokine Cancer Biomarkers using Fluorescence RNA In Situ Hybridization and Cellular Imaging.</a> BioTek Application Notes. , 1-5 (2016).</li><li>Buxbaum, A. R., Wu, B., Singer, R. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single+&#946;-Actin+mRNA+Detection+in+Neurons+Reveals+a+Mechanism+for+Regulating+Its+Translatability.">Single &#946;-Actin mRNA Detection in Neurons Reveals a Mechanism for Regulating Its Translatability.</a> Science. 343 (6169), 419-422 (2014).</li><li>Thompson, R. E., Larson, D. R., Webb, W. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Precise+nanometer+localization+analysis+for+individual+fluorescent+probes.">Precise nanometer localization analysis for individual fluorescent probes.</a> Biophysical Journal. 82 (5), 2775-2783 (2002).</li><li>Herrick, J. R., Paik, T., Strauss, K. J., Schoolcraft, W. B., Krisher, 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=Building+a+better+mouse+embryo+assay:+effects+of+mouse+strain+and+in+vitro+maturation+on+sensitivity+to+contaminants+of+the+culture+environment.">Building a better mouse embryo assay: effects of mouse strain and in vitro maturation on sensitivity to contaminants of the culture environment.</a> Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. 33 (2), 237-245 (2016).</li><li>Pohlmeier, W. E., Xie, F., Kurz, S. G., Lu, N., Wood, 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=Progressive+obesity+alters+the+steroidogenic+response+to+ovulatory+stimulation+and+increases+the+abundance+of+mRNAs+stored+in+the+ovulated+oocyte.">Progressive obesity alters the steroidogenic response to ovulatory stimulation and increases the abundance of mRNAs stored in the ovulated oocyte.</a> Molecular Reproduction and Development. 81 (8), 735-747 (2014).</li><li>Xie, F., Anderson, C. L., Timme, K. R., Kurz, S. G., Fernando, S. C., Wood, 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=Obesity-dependent+increases+in+oocyte+mRNAs+are+associated+with+increases+in+proinflammatory+signaling+and+gut+microbial+abundance+of+lachnospiraceae+in+female+mice.">Obesity-dependent increases in oocyte mRNAs are associated with increases in proinflammatory signaling and gut microbial abundance of lachnospiraceae in female mice.</a> Endocrinology. 157 (4), 1630-1643 (2016).</li><li>Hirao, Y., Yanagimachi, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detrimental+effect+of+visible+light+on+meiosis+of+mammalian+eggs+in+vitro.">Detrimental effect of visible light on meiosis of mammalian eggs in vitro.</a> Journal of Experimental Zoology. , (1978).</li><li>Takenaka, M., Horiuchi, T., Yanagimachi, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+light+on+development+of+mammalian+zygotes.">Effects of light on development of mammalian zygotes.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 104 (36), 14293-14293 (2007).</li><li>Komminoth, P., Werner, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Target+and+signal+amplification:+Approaches+to+increase+the+sensitivity+of+in+situ+hybridization.">Target and signal amplification: Approaches to increase the sensitivity of in situ hybridization.</a> Histochemistry and Cell Biology. 108 (4-5), 325-333 (1997).</li><li>Hornick, J. E., Duncan, F. E., Shea, L. D., Woodruff, T. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+follicle+culture+supports+primary+follicle+growth+through+paracrine-acting+signals.">Multiple follicle culture supports primary follicle growth through paracrine-acting signals.</a> Reproduction. 145 (1), 19-32 (2013).</li><li>Vlasova-St. Louis, I., Bohjanen, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Feedback+Regulation+of+Kinase+Signaling+Pathways+by+AREs+and+GREs.">Feedback Regulation of Kinase Signaling Pathways by AREs and GREs.</a> Cells. 5 (1), 4 (2016).</li><li>Gilbert, C., Svejstrup, J. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RNA+Immunoprecipitation+for+Determining+RNA-Protein+Associations+In+Vivo.">RNA Immunoprecipitation for Determining RNA-Protein Associations In Vivo.</a> Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. 75 (1), 27.4.1-27.4.11 (2006).</li><li>Kwon, S., Chin, K., Nederlof, M., Gray, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative,+in+situ+analysis+of+mRNAs+and+proteins+with+subcellular+resolution.">Quantitative, in situ analysis of mRNAs and proteins with subcellular resolution.</a> Scientific Reports. 7 (1), 16459 (2017).</li><li>Voigt, 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=Single-Molecule+Quantification+of+Translation-Dependent+Association+of+mRNAs+with+the+Endoplasmic+Reticulum.">Single-Molecule Quantification of Translation-Dependent Association of mRNAs with the Endoplasmic Reticulum.</a> Cell Reports. 21 (13), 3740-3753 (2017).</li><li>Halstead, J. M., Wilbertz, J. H., Wippich, F., Lionnet, T., Ephrussi, A., Chao, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=TRICK:+A+Single-Molecule+Method+for+Imaging+the+First+Round+of+Translation+in+Living+Cells+and+Animals.">TRICK: A Single-Molecule Method for Imaging the First Round of Translation in Living Cells and Animals.</a> Methods in Enzymology. 572, (2016).</li><li>Cookson, W., Liang, L., Abecasis, G., Moffatt, M., Lathrop, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mapping+complex+disease+traits+with+global+gene+expression.">Mapping complex disease traits with global gene expression.</a> Nature Reviews Genetics. 10 (3), 184-194 (2009).</li><li>Houle, D., Govindaraju, D. R., Omholt, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phenomics:+the+next+challenge.">Phenomics: the next challenge.</a> Nature Reviews Genetics. 11, 855 (2010).</li><li>Freimer, N., Sabatti, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Human+Phenome+Project.">The Human Phenome Project.</a> Nature Genetics. 34, 15 (2003).</li></ol>

A series of minor steps during the protocol will ensure successful fluorescence and accurate counts of mRNAs. First, the protocol must be performed immediately after collection and fixation of the oocytes. Note that PVP is added to the 4% paraformaldehyde fixation buffer to prevent oocytes from sticking to each other. We found that it is necessary to perform the experiment immediately after the collection and fixation of the oocytes. Any delay results in a much lower fluorescence signal that would result in undercounting...

Reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been the gold standard for mRNA quantitation. Two assays, digital PCR (dPCR)1 and quantitative, real time PCR (qPCR)2 are currently used. Of the two PCR techniques, dPCR has greater sensitivity than qPCR suggesting that it could be used to measure mRNA abundance in single cells. However, in our hands, dPCR analysis of low abundance mRNAs in pools of 5 to 10 oocytes per each experimental sample has produced data with low reproducibility and high variation3. This is likely due to the experimental error associated with RNA extraction and reverse transcription efficiency. RNA sequencing has also been performed using a single mouse and human oocytes4,5. This technique requires cDNA amplification steps required for the library generation which likely increases variability within an experimental group. Furthermore, low abundance transcripts may not be detectable. Although sequencing prices have gone down&#160;the last few years, it can still be cost prohibitive due to the high cost of bioinformatics analyses. Finally, mRNA localization is a dynamic process with spatial changes contributing to protein function6. Therefore, we set out to adopt a technique that would produce accurate and reproducible quantitative measures and localization of individual mRNAs in single oocytes.
Branched DNA coupled to fluorescence in situ hybridization amplifies fluorescence signal rather than amplifying RNA/cDNA enabling detection of single mRNAs in individual cells 7,8,9. The assay is performed through a series of hybridization, amplification (using branched DNA), and fluorescence labeling steps in order to amplify the fluorescence signal7. The technique begins with binding of 18- to 25-base oligonucleotide probe pairs that are complementary to a specific mRNA3,8,10. Fifteen to twenty probe pairs are designed for each transcript ensuring specificity for the target transcript. The mRNA-specific hybridization is followed by pre-amplifier and amplifier probes that form a branched configuration. Approximately, 400 label fluorophores bind to each amplifier, resulting in an 8000-fold increase in fluorescence allowing detection of individual mRNAs (Figure 1)11.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/59414/59414fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic of the SM-FISH protocol. Sequential hybridization of transcript specific probe, branched DNA amplifier and fluorophore to a target mRNA is shown. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/59414/59414fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
Previous studies using single molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (SM-FISH) localized &#946;-actin mRNAs in individual neurons12 and human papillomavirus DNA in cervical cancer cell lines7. The computer software Spot Finding and Tracking Program identifies individual punctate fluorescent signal and has been successfully used to quantify the number of mRNAs in each cell3,13.
Based on the results of mRNA detection in neurons12, we hypothesized that SM-FISH would prove a useful tool to quantitate transcript levels in murine oocytes and embryos including low abundance mRNAs. However, the technique is optimized for the use with adherent fixed cells and formaldehyde fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue sections. Oocytes cannot adhere to a slide, even when they are coated with Poly-L-lysine. Furthermore, they are more fragile than somatic cells and tissue sections resulting in cell lysis when subjected to some of the proprietary buffers in commercially available kits3. To overcome these challenges, oocytes were fixed and manually transferred between drops of the buffers. Furthermore, permeabilization and wash buffers in the kits were replaced to reduce the cell lysis. Predesigned probes are purchased alongside the FISH kit or specific transcripts can be requested. Each proprietary probe set is available in one of three fluorescence channels (C1, C2, and C3) to allow for multiplexing. In the current experiment, murine oocytes were dual-stained and quantified using a C2 Nanog probe and a C3 Pou5f1 probe. These probes were selected based on the reported expression of Nanog and Pou5f1 in oocytes and embryos. At the conclusion of the hybridization steps, oocytes were placed in drops of anti-fade mounting media for application to histological slides. Confocal images were used to quantify the number of punctate fluorescent signals which represent individual mRNAs. In addition to quantifying the mRNAs, imaging also showed the spatial distribution of the specific mRNA in the cell, which other RNA quantification methods are unable to achieve. This technique proved to have low variability within an experimental group allowing the use of smaller numbers of oocytes in each experimental group to identify significant differences between experimental groups3.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:608px;" width="607">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">(&#177;)-&#945;-Lipoic acid</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">T1395</td>
			<td style="width:172px;">Alpha Lipoic Acid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">Albumin, Bovine Serum, Low Fatty Acid</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">MP Biomedicals, LLC</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">199899</td>
			<td>FAF BSA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="83">
			<td height="83" style="height:83px;width:223px;">BD 10mL TB Syringe</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Becton, Dickinson and Company</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">309659</td>
			<td>10 mL syringe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="83">
			<td height="83" style="height:83px;width:223px;">BD PrecisionGlide Needle</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Becton, Dickinson and Company</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">305109</td>
			<td>27 1/2 gauge needle</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Calcium chloride dihydrate</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">C7902</td>
			<td>CaCl2-2H2O</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Citric acid</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">C2404</td>
			<td>Citrate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">D-(+)-Glucose</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">G6152</td>
			<td>Glucose</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">Disodium phosphate</td>
			<td style="width:91px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td>Na2HPO4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Easy Grip Petri Dish</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Falcon Corning</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">351008</td>
			<td>35 mm dish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">Edetate Disodium</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Avantor</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">8994-01</td>
			<td>EDTA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Extra Fine Bonn Scissors</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">14084-08</td>
			<td>Straight, Sharp/Sharp, non-serrated, 13mm cutting edge scissors</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Atlanta biologicals</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">S10250</td>
			<td>FBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">Gentamicin Reagent Solution</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">gibco</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">15710-064</td>
			<td>Gentamicin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">GlutaMAX-I (100X)</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">gibco</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">35050-061</td>
			<td>Glutamax</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">Gold Seal Micro Slides</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Gold Seal</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">3039</td>
			<td>25 x 75mm slides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Gonadotropin, From Pregnant Mares&#39; Serum</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">G4877</td>
			<td>eCG</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">hCG recombinant</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">NHPP</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">AFP8456A</td>
			<td>hCG</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Hyaluronidase, Type IV-S: From Bovine Testes</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">H3884</td>
			<td>Hyaluronidase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">Jewelers Style Forceps</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Integra</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">17-305X</td>
			<td>Forceps 4-3/8&#34;, Style 5F, Straight, Micro Fine Jaw</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">L-(+)-Lactic Acid, free acid&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">MP Biomedicals, LLC</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">190228</td>
			<td>L-Lactate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">M2773</td>
			<td>MgSO4-7H2O</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">MEM Nonessential Amino Acids</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Corning&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">25-025-Cl</td>
			<td>NEAA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Microscope Cover Glass</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">12-542-C</td>
			<td>25 x 25x 0.15 mm cover slips</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">Mm-Nanog-O2-C2 RNAscope Probe</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">501891-C2</td>
			<td>Nanog Probe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">Mm-Pou5f1-O1-C3 RNAscope Probe</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">501611-C3</td>
			<td>Pou5f1 Probe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">MOPS</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">M3183</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">P6148</td>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">PES 0.22 um Membrane -sterile</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Millex-GP</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">SLGP033RS</td>
			<td>0.22 um filters</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Polyvinylpyrrolidone</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">P0930</td>
			<td>PVP</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Potassium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">60128</td>
			<td>KCl</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Potassium phosphate monobasic</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">60218</td>
			<td>KH2PO4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">Prolong Gold antifade reagent</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">P36934</td>
			<td>Antifade reagent without DAPI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope DAPI</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320858</td>
			<td>DAPI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope FL AMP 1</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320852</td>
			<td>Amplifier 1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope FL AMP 2</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320853</td>
			<td>Amplifier 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope FL AMP 3</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320854</td>
			<td>Amplifier 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope FL AMP 4 ALT A</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320855</td>
			<td>Amplifier 4 ALT A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope FL AMP 4 ALT B</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320856</td>
			<td>Amplifier 4 ALT B</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope FL AMP 4 ALT C</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320857</td>
			<td>Amplifier 4 ALT C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope Fluorescent Multiplex Detection Reagents Kit</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320851</td>
			<td>FISH Reagent Kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope Probe 3-plex Negative Control Probe</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320871</td>
			<td>Negative Control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope Probe 3-plex Positive Control</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">320881</td>
			<td>Positive Control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope Probe Diluent</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">300041</td>
			<td>Probe Diluent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope Protease III</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnositics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">322337</td>
			<td>Protease III</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope Protease III &#38; IV Reagent Kit</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">322340</td>
			<td>FISH Protease Kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:62px;width:223px;">RNAscope Protease IV</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Advanced Cell Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">322336</td>
			<td>Protease IV</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">S/S Needle with Luer Hub 30G</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Component Supply Co.</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">NE-301PL-50</td>
			<td>blunt 30 gauge needle</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">S6297</td>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Sodium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">S6191</td>
			<td>NaCl</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Sodium hydroxide</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">306576</td>
			<td>NaOH</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Sodium pyruvate, &#62;= 99%</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">P5280</td>
			<td>Pyruvate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:223px;">Solution 6 Well Dish</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Agtechinc</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">D18</td>
			<td>6 well dish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Taurine</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">T8691</td>
			<td>Taurine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Tissue Culture Dish</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Falcon Corning</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">353002</td>
			<td>60 mm dish</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:223px;">Triton X-100</td>
			<td style="width:91px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:123px;">X100</td>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

use of single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (sm-fish) to quantify and localize mrnas in murine oocytes

Current methods routinely used to quantify mRNA in oocytes and embryos include digital reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (dPCR), quantitative, real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) and RNA sequencing. When these techniques are performed using a single oocyte or embryo, low-copy mRNAs are not reliably detected. To overcome this problem, oocytes or embryos can be pooled together for analysis; however, this often leads to high variability amongst samples. In this protocol, we describe the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using branched DNA chemistry. This technique identifies the spatial pattern of mRNAs in individual cells. When the technique is coupled with Spot Finding and Tracking&#160;computer software, the abundance of mRNAs in the cell can also be quantified. Using this technique, there is reduced variability within an experimental group and fewer oocytes and embryos are required to detect significant differences between experimental groups. Commercially available branched-DNA SM-FISH kits have been optimized to detect mRNAs in sectioned tissues or adherent cells on slides. However, oocytes do not effectively adhere to slides and some reagents in the kit were too harsh resulting in oocyte lysis. To prevent this lysis, several modifications were made to the FISH kit. Specifically, oocyte permeabilization and wash&#160;buffers designed for the immunofluorescence of oocytes and embryos replaced the proprietary buffers. The permeabilization, washes, and incubations with probes and amplifier were performed in 6-well plates and oocytes were placed on slides at the end of the protocol using mounting media. These modifications were able to overcome the limitations of the commercially available kit, in particular, the oocyte lysis. To accurately and reproducibly count the number of mRNAs in individual oocytes, computer software was used. Together, this protocol represents an alternative to PCR and sequencing to compare the expression of specific transcripts in single cells.

Upon the completion of the protocol, the result will be individual images from confocal z-series (Figure 4A and Figure 5), stitched images (Figure 4C), and mRNA counts (Figure 4B). When multiplexing is performed, there will also be merged images showing the label for two different mRNAs (Fig...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Use of Single Molecule Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization SM-FISH to Quantify and Localize mRNAs in Murine Oocytes at JoVE.com

Use of Single Molecule Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization SM-FISH to Quantify and Localize mRNAs in Murine Oocytes

To reproducibly count the numbers of mRNAs in individual oocytes, single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) was optimized for non-adherent cells. Oocytes were collected, hybridized with the transcript specific probes, and quantified using an image quantification software.

Use of Single Molecule Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (SM-FISH) to Quantify and Localize mRNAs in Murine Oocytes

Current methods routinely used to quantify mRNA in oocytes and embryos include digital reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (dPCR), ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Genetics

Detection of Copy Number Alterations Using Single Cell Sequencing

Detection of genomic changes at single cell resolution is important for characterizing genetic heterogeneity and evolution in normal tissues, cancers, and ...

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

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 ...

Generation of Fluorescent Protein Fusions in Candida Species

Generation of Fluorescent Protein Fusions in Candida Species

Candida species, prevalent colonizers of the intestinal and genitourinary tracts, are the cause of the majority of invasive fungal infections in humans. ...

Single Molecule Analysis of Laser Localized Psoralen Adducts

The DNA Damage Response (DDR) has been extensively characterized in studies of double strand breaks (DSBs) induced by laser micro beam irradiation in live ...

High Resolution Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization in Drosophila Embryos and Tissues Using Tyramide Signal Amplification

High Resolution Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization in Drosophila Embryos and Tissues Using Tyramide Signal Amplification

In our efforts to determine the patterns of expression and subcellular localization of Drosophila RNAs on a genome-wide basis, and in a variety of ...

Real-time Analysis of Transcription Factor Binding, Transcription, Translation, and Turnover to Display Global Events During Cellular Activation

Upon activation, cells rapidly change their functional programs and, thereby, their gene expression profile. Massive changes in gene expression occur, for ...

Visualization of Microbiota in Tick Guts by Whole-mount In Situ Hybridization

Visualization of Microbiota in Tick Guts by Whole-mount In Situ Hybridization

Infectious diseases transmitted by arthropod vectors continue to pose a significant threat to human health worldwide. The pathogens causing these ...

Single Molecule Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (smFISH) Analysis in Budding Yeast Vegetative Growth and Meiosis

Single Molecule Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization smFISH Analysis in Budding Yeast Vegetative Growth and Meiosis

Single molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) is a powerful technique to study gene expression in single cells due to its ability to detect ...

Quantitative Analysis of Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing in Mouse Brain Sections Using RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay

Quantitative Analysis of Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing in Mouse Brain Sections Using RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay

Alternative splicing (AS) occurs in more than 90% of human genes. The expression pattern of an alternatively spliced exon is often regulated in a cell ...

Tissue-specific miRNA Expression Profiling in Mouse Heart Sections Using In Situ Hybridization

Tissue-specific miRNA Expression Profiling in Mouse Heart Sections Using In Situ Hybridization

micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded RNA transcripts that bind to messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and inhibit their translation or promote their degradation. To ...