Name: dissection and live-imaging of the late embryonic drosophila gonad
Uploaded: 2020-10-17T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissection and Live-Imaging of the Late Embryonic Drosophila Gonad at JoVE.com

We would like to thank Lindsey W. Plasschaert and Justin Sui for their substantial contributions to the early development of this protocol. The authors are grateful to the fly community for their generosity with reagents, and particularly to Ruth Lehmann and Benjamin Lin for their gift of the nos5&#8217;-Lifeact-tdtomato p2a tdkatushka2 Caax nos3&#39; line prior to its publication. Stocks obtained from the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center (NIH P40OD018537) were used in this study. This work was supported by NIH RO1 GM060804, R33AG04791503 and R35GM136270 (S.D) as well as training grants T32GM007229 (B.W.) and F32GM125123 (L.A.).

1. Day-before-dissection preparation
<ol>
	<li>Electrolytically sharpen a tungsten needle24 so that the resulting diameter is approximately 0.03 mm. Adjust the voltage supplied to approximately 14 V, and use 3.3 M NaOH. Sharpening should take no more than 1 or 2 min. 
	CAUTION: NaOH is highly corrosive and will cause burns upon contact with skin. Wear gloves and goggles while handling, and work inside a fume hood. 
	NOTE: After use, store NaOH in a polypropylene Falcon tube.</li>
	<li>...

<ol>
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J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Time-lapse+live+imaging+of+stem+cells+in+drosophila+testis.">Time-lapse live imaging of stem cells in drosophila testis.</a> Current Protocols in Stem Cell Biology. 0331, 1-9 (2009).</li><li>Anllo, L., Plasschaert, L. 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N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Developpement+embryonnaire+et+post-embryonnaire+des+gonades+normales+et+agametiques+de+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Developpement embryonnaire et post-embryonnaire des gonades normales et agametiques de Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Revue Suisse De Zoologie. 52, 53 (1945).</li><li>Sano, 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=The+Drosophila+actin+regulator+ENABLED+regulates+cell+shape+and+orientation+during+gonad+morphogenesis.">The Drosophila actin regulator ENABLED regulates cell shape and orientation during gonad morphogenesis.</a> PLoS One. 7, (2012).</li><li>Clark, I. B. N., Jarman, A. P., Finnegan, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Live+imaging+of+Drosophila+gonad+formation+reveals+roles+for+Six4+in+regulating+germline+and+somatic+cell+migration.">Live imaging of Drosophila gonad formation reveals roles for Six4 in regulating germline and somatic cell migration.</a> BMC Devlopmental Biology. 7, 1-9 (2007).</li><li>Sheng, X. R., Brawley, C. M., Matunis, E. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dedifferentiating+spermatogonia+outcompete+somatic+stem+cells+for+niche+occupancy+in+the+Drosophila+testis.">Dedifferentiating spermatogonia outcompete somatic stem cells for niche occupancy in the Drosophila testis.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 5, 191-203 (2009).</li><li>Tanentzapf, G., Devenport, D., Godt, D., Brown, N. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Europe+PMC+Funders+Group+integrin-dependent+anchoring+of+a+stem+cell+niche.">Europe PMC Funders Group integrin-dependent anchoring of a stem cell niche.</a> Nature Cell Biology. 9, 1413-1418 (2007).</li><li>Brady, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+simple+technique+for+making+very+fine,+durable+dissecting+needles+by+sharpening+tungsten+wire+electrolytically+a+motorized+molluscicide+dispenser.">A simple technique for making very fine, durable dissecting needles by sharpening tungsten wire electrolytically a motorized molluscicide dispenser.</a> Bulletin of the World Health Organization. , 105-106 (1960).</li><li>Featherstone, D. 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During gonadogenesis, the embryonic gonad, and particularly the stem cell niche within the male gonad15, undergoes rapid morphological changes. Developmental mechanisms that underlie these dynamic changes are best understood through live-imaging techniques. However, at embryonic Stage 17, in vivo imaging of the gonad is rendered impossible by the onset of large-scale muscle contractions17. With this protocol, we provide a successful alternative: dissection of the g...

The Drosophila melanogaster testis has served as a paradigm for our understanding of many dynamic cellular processes. Studies of this model have shed light on stem cell division regulation1,2,3, germ cell development4,5, piRNA biology6,7,8, and niche-stem cell signaling events9,10,11,12,13. This model is advantageous because it is genetically tractable14,15 and is one of the few where we can live-image stem cells in their natural environment3,16,17,18. However, live-imaging of this model has been limited to adult tissue and early embryonic stages, leaving a gap in our knowledge of gonadal dynamics in the late embryo, the precise stage when the niche is first forming and beginning to function.
The late stage embryonic gonad is a sphere, consisting of somatic niche cells at the anterior, and germ cells encysted by somatic gonadal cells throughout more posterior regions19. This organ can be imaged live in vivo up until early embryonic Stage 1717,20,21. Further imaging is prevented due to initiation of large-scale muscle contractions. These contractions are so severe that they push the gonad out of the imaging frame, and such movement cannot be corrected with imaging software. Our lab is interested in unveiling the mechanisms of niche formation, which occurs during this elusive period for live-imaging. Therefore, we generated an ex vivo approach to live image the gonad starting at embryonic Stage 16, facilitating the study of the cell dynamics during this crucial period of gonad development. Previous work from our lab shows that this ex vivo imaging faithfully recapitulates in vivo gonad development17. This technique is the first and only of its kind for the Drosophila embryonic gonad.
Here, we present the dissection protocol required for ex vivo live-imaging of the gonad during late embryonic stages. This protocol can be combined with pharmacological treatments, or transgenic manipulation of specific cell lineages within the gonad. Using this technique, we have successfully imaged the steps of stem cell niche formation17. This imaging approach is thus instrumental for the field of stem cell biology, as it will enable visualization of the initial stages of niche formation in real time within its natural environment15,17. While this method is beneficial for the field of stem cell biology, it is additionally applicable for visualizing any dynamic processes occurring in the gonad during this developmental timepoint, including cellular rearrangements22, cell adhesion2,12,23, and cell migration23. This dissection protocol will thus enhance our understanding of many fundamental cell biological processes.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Alfa Aesar&#160;Tungsten wire</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AA10408G6</td>
			<td>0.25mm (0.01 in.) dia., 99.95% (metals basis)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D. melanogaster: His2Av::mRFP1</td>
			<td>Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center (BDSC)</td>
			<td>FBtp0056035</td>
			<td>Schuh, Lehner, &#38; Heidmann, Current Biology, 2007</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D. melanogaster: nos-lifeact::tdtomato</td>
			<td>Gift from Ruth Lehmann Lab</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Lin, Luo, &#38; Lehmann, Nature Communications, 2020: nos5&#39;- Lifeact-tdtomato p2a tdkatushka2 Caax nos3&#39;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D. melanogaster: P-Dsix4-eGFP::Moesin</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>FBtp0083398</td>
			<td>Sano et al., PLoS One, 2012</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Diamond-tipped knife</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Double-sided tape</td>
			<td>Scotch</td>
			<td>665</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>10082</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imaging dish</td>
			<td>MatTek</td>
			<td>P35GC-1.5-14-C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imaging software</td>
			<td>Molecular Devices</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>MetaMorph Microscopy Automation and Image Analysis Software v7.8.4.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin, bovine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>l0516</td>
			<td>Store aliquots at 4 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Needle holder</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>08-955</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nytex basket</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/streptomycin</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>30-002-Cl</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ringer&#39;s solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>2 mM MgCl2, 2 mM CaCl2, 130 mM NaCl, 5mM KCl, 36 mM Sucrose, 5mM Hepe&#8217;s Buffer; adjusted with NaOH until pH of 7.3 is achieved</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Schneider&#39;s Insect Media</td>
			<td>GIBCO</td>
			<td>21720-024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

dissection and live-imaging of the late embryonic drosophila gonad

The Drosophila melanogaster male embryonic gonad is an advantageous model to study various aspects of developmental biology including, but not limited to, germ cell development, piRNA biology, and niche formation. Here, we present a dissection technique to live-image the gonad ex vivo during a period when in vivo live-imaging is highly ineffective. This protocol outlines how to transfer embryos to an imaging dish, choose appropriately-staged male embryos, and dissect the gonad from its surrounding tissue while still maintaining its structural integrity. Following dissection, gonads can be imaged using a confocal microscope to visualize dynamic cellular processes. The dissection procedure requires precise timing and dexterity, but we provide insight on how to prevent common mistakes and how to overcome these challenges. To our knowledge this is the first dissection protocol for the Drosophila embryonic gonad, and will permit live-imaging during an otherwise inaccessible window of time. This technique can be combined with pharmacological or cell-type specific transgenic manipulations to study any dynamic processes occurring within or between the&#160;cells in their natural gonadal environment.

We illustrate preparation of the imaging dish in Figure 1, as described in &#8220;Day-of-dissection preparation.&#8221; These methods should ultimately result in well-hydrated embryos adhered to a cover slip strip, which is temporarily fixed to the bottom of the dish and submerged in Ringer&#8217;s solution (Figure 1F). A diamond-tipped knife allows one to cleanly slice a 22 x 22 mm cover slip into three to four smaller strips (Figure 1A</st...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissection and Live-Imaging of the Late Embryonic Drosophila Gonad at JoVE.com

Dissection and Live-Imaging of the Late Embryonic Drosophila Gonad

Here, we provide a dissection protocol required to live-image the late embryonic Drosophila male gonad. This protocol will permit observation of dynamic cellular processes under normal conditions or after transgenic or pharmacological manipulation.

Dissection and Live-Imaging of the Late Embryonic Drosophila Gonad

The Drosophila melanogaster male embryonic gonad is an advantageous model to study various aspects of developmental biology including, but not limited to, ...

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