This work were supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.:31772519, 31720103916; ) and an open grant from the State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, South West University (No.: sklsgb2013003).

1. Insect rearing and maintenance
<ol>
	<li>Culture the Spodoptera litura larvae in environmental simulation chambers with an artificial diet until they reach day 4 of the 6th instar (L6D4). Select male larvae when the worms enter the first day of the 6th instar (L6D0) based on the inverse triangle-shaped structure on the eighth abdomen14. 
	&#8203;NOTE: Larvae rearing and maintenance techniques were published previously4,14.</li>
</ol>
2. Presurgical preparation
<ol>
	<li>Trim the aluminum foil into rectangular pieces with rounded corners (1 mm x 2 mm, Figure 2).</li>
	<li>Sterilize the surgery platform and related items (table surface, microscope, icebox, insect box, wax tray, pins, and thread) by spraying 75% alcohol on their surface and wiping them down.</li>
	<li>Sterilize surgical tools (including the aluminum foil) with a high-pressure steam sterilizer for 30 min, and place them in a heating and drying oven at 120 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Ensure that the operators wear clean laboratory clothes, surgical masks, and sterile gloves.</li>
</ol>
3. Microsurgical placement of a barrier between the testes
NOTE: The general work-flow is as follows: Freezing &#8594; Fixing &#8594; Disinfection &#8594; Incision &#8594; Barrier Placement &#8594; Suturing&#8594; Postoperative Feeding and Inspection
<ol>
	<li>Place male larvae (L6D4) on ice for 10-30 min to keep them anesthetized during the operation.</li>
	<li>Place a larva on the wax tray with the dorsal side up, and then fix the head and the tail of the larva with pins and threads, showing the surgical area that is the dorsal surface on the 9th body segment (Figure 3A).</li>
	<li>Disinfect the surgical area by applying 3% iodine tincture with a cotton swab to the epidermis (9th body segment), followed by 70% alcohol to remove the iodine (Figure 3B). 
	NOTE: Focus on the larva through coarse and fine adjustment of the surgical microscope (Figure 3C). Place the wax tray on a larger culture dish filled with ice to keep the anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Make a 2 mm-long incision on the dorsal epidermis of the 9th body segment. Next, use a sterile cotton swab to remove any leaking hemolymph and fat bodies and obtain a clear view of the surgical area. 
	NOTE: It is important to avoid the heart during the procedure. This can be done by making the incision slightly next to the mid-line in the 9th body segment or at the joint between the 9th and 10th body segments to prevent the testes from popping out due to the larval internal pressure. While using the scalpel, make a vertical slit with the blade first (Figure 4A), and then turn it 45&#176; towards the epidermis before evenly and continuously cutting through the epidermis (Figure 4B).</li>
	<li>Use surgical tweezers to insert a piece of aluminum foil between the testes (Figure 5).</li>
	<li>At the end of the surgery, close the incision to avoid infection, and allow the larvae to recover from the surgery.
	<ol>
		<li>Close the epidermis with a running suture (Figure 6).</li>
		<li>Use a needle holder and surgical tweezers to tie a surgical square knot, requiring two opposing mirror-image simple knots (Figure 6D,E).</li>
		<li>Use scissors to cut the excess suture from the loop tails, leaving a 2 mm thread behind.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>After suturing, gently lay the larva in the rearing box and maintain them in a clean environmental simulation chamber. Continue observing the larvae. 
	&#8203;NOTE: The wound stops leaking hemolymph, and the larvae gradually recover after the surgery. The worms continue to complete their metamorphosis.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig02.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Physical barrier prepared using aluminum foil (1 mm x 2 mm). <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig03.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Before incision. (A)&#160;Fixing the larva. (B)&#160;Disinfection of the epidermis of the surgical area. (C)Performing surgery under the microscope. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig03large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig04.jpg" /> 
Figure 4: Incision. (A) Slit the larvae vertically with the blade.&#160;(B)&#160;Turn the blade 45&#176; toward the epidermis before cutting through. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig04large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 5" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig05.jpg" /> 
Figure 5: Inserting the physical barrier (aluminum foil) between the testes. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig05large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 6" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig06.jpg" /> 
Figure 6: Suturing. (A) Insert the needle. (B) Withdraw the needle. (C) Withdraw and clamp the needle. (D) Tie the first simple knot. (E) Tie the opposing mirror-imaged simple knot. (F) Cut excess suture thread. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig06large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

After microsurgically obstructing testes fusion in Spodoptera litura, the number of sperm bundles decreased, which supported the hypothesis that this fusion is beneficial to the reproductive capability. Surgical manipulation has been used to study the physiological development of insects since the early 20th century. To determine whether the cranial nerve is regulated by insect metamorphosis, some researchers performed procedures such as ligation and decapitation on different insects (including Rh...

Fusion is a common phenomenon in tissue or organ development. Examples include dorsal closure and thorax closure in Drosophila1&#160;and palate morphogenesis, neural tube morphogenesis, and heart morphogenesis in mice and chicken2. CRISPR and RNAi have been applied to investigate the roles of genes in the process of fusion2,3,4.
Spodoptera litura (S. litura, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a detrimental polyphagous pest that is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, including China4,5,6. The wide distribution of S. litura is partly attributed to its powerful reproductive capability, which is relevant to gonad development. Male infertility is one approach to control this pest. As shown in the schematic figure of testicular structure, the testes are enclosed by the testicular sheath, including the external sheath (peritoneal sheath) and inner basal lamina. The basal lamina extends internally to form the follicular epithelium and separates the inner area of the testis into four chambers named follicles (Figure 1).
In the follicles, spermatogonia develop into spermatozoa after mitosis and meiosis, and then the spermatozoa in the sperm sacs align in the same direction to form sperm bundles7. During spermatogenesis, the primary spermatocytes differentiate into eupyrene sperms or apyrene sperms. Spermatocytes in the larval phase develop into eupyrene sperm with a long tail connected to a head of an elongated nucleus; these can fertilize eggs. Conversely, spermatocytes in the mid-pupal phase develop into apyrene sperm with a discarded nucleus; these sperm assist the survival, motion, and fertilization of eupyrene sperm9,10. The 6th day of the pupa is the period during which the testes have abundant eupyrene and apyrene sperm bundles.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the testicular structure of Lepidoptera insects11. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62524/62524fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
Testicular fusion occurs in most insects of the Lepidoptera order11,12, especially in those species that are agricultural pests. Testicular fusion refers to a pair of testes growing bilaterally in the larval phase, approaching and adhering to each other, eventually integrating into a single gonad11. In Spodoptera litura, it happens during metamorphosis from the larval to the pupal stage. From day 1 of the 5th instar (L5D1) to day 4 of the 6th instar (L6D4), the pair of testes grows gradually in size, and the color turns light yellow from ivory-white. It becomes faint red as it reaches the prepupal phase (L6D5 to L6D6). Two bilateral symmetrical testes approach each other during the prepupal stage, fuse into one, and twist anticlockwise (doral view) to produce a single testis in the pupal and adult phases11. This phenomenon does not occur in silkworms, which have considerable economic importance and have been domesticated for 5000 years13. Thus, it is assumed that the testes&#39; fusion improves reproductive capability.
To determine the significance of Spodoptera litura testicular fusion, it is important to investigate the effects of blocking the process. In this protocol, aluminum foil was microsurgically inserted between the testes to keep them separated, and the consequent changes in the development of the insects and their testes were studied.

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			<td>75% Rubbing alcohol</td>
			<td>Qingdao Hainuo Nuowei Disinfection Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>Q/370285HNW 001-2019</td>
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			<td>Deli Group Co.,LTD</td>
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			<td>Suzhou Xiehe Medical Device Co., Ltd</td>
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			<td>Curved and blunt tip</td>
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			<td>Glad Aluminum Foil</td>
			<td>Clorox China(Guangzhou) Limited</td>
			<td>831457</td>
			<td>10 cm*2.5 cm*0.6</td>
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			<td>Winner Medical Co., Ltd.</td>
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			<td>Needle holder</td>
			<td>Shanghai Medical Instruments (Group) Ltd., Corp.</td>
			<td>J32030</td>
			<td>14 cm fine needle</td>
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			<td>Sterile surgical blade</td>
			<td>Shanghai Pudong Jinhuan Medical Supplies Co., LTD</td>
			<td>#11</td>
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			<td>Shanghai Pudong Jinhuan Medical Supplies Co., LTD</td>
			<td>K6-10</td>
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			<td>Suture thread with needle</td>
			<td>Ningbo Medical Stitch Needle Co., Ltd</td>
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			<td>needle: 3/8 Circle, 2.5*8 ; Thread: Nylon, 6/0, 25 cm</td>
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			<td>Suzhou Xiehe Medical Device Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>MR-F201T-3</td>
			<td>Straight-pointed; long handle; 0.12 mm-wide-head</td>
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</table>

microsurgical obstruction of testes fusion in spodoptera litura

Instead of using genetic methods like RNA interference (RNAi) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9, a physical barrier was microsurgically inserted between the testes of Spodoptera litura to study the impact of this microsurgery on its growth and reproduction. After inserting aluminum foil between the testes, insect molting during metamorphosis proceeded normally. Insect growth and development were not remarkably altered; however, the number of sperm bundles changed if testes fusion was stopped by the microsurgery. These findings imply that blocking testicular fusion can influence male reproduction capability. The method can be further applied to interrupt communication between organs to study the function of specific signaling pathways. Compared to conventional surgery, microsurgery only requires freezing anesthetization, which is preferable to carbon dioxide anesthetization. Microsurgery also minimizes the surgery site area and facilitates wound healing. However, the selection of materials with specific functions needs further investigation. Avoiding tissue injury is crucial when making incisions during the operation.

The effects of microsurgery on Spodoptera litura growth and development 
The microsurgery left a 2 mm-long wound on the dorsal larval epidermis that eventually stopped leaking hemolymph and healed. The larvae went through prepupal and pupal stages and eclosed, indicating that the microsurgery had no major impact on growth and development. When the larvae molted into pupae, the suture threads were discarded along with the epidermis. There were no obvious dif...

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Microsurgical Obstruction of Testes Fusion in Spodoptera litura

Aluminum foil was microsurgically inserted between the testes of Spodoptera litura to obstruct the fusion of testis. The procedure includes freezing, fixing, disinfection, incision, placing the barrier, suturing, postoperative feeding, and inspection. This approach provides a method to interfere with tissue formation.

Microsurgical Obstruction of Testes Fusion in Spodoptera litura

Instead of using genetic methods like RNA interference (RNAi) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated ...

microsurgical-obstruction-of-testes-fusion-in-spodoptera-litura

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2.3K Views.  South China Normal University-Shipai Campus: South China Normal University. Aluminum foil was microsurgically inserted between the testes of Spodoptera litura to obstruct the fusion of testis. The procedure includes freezing, fixing, disinfection, incision, placing the barrier, suturing, postoperative feeding, and inspection. This approach provides a method to interfere with tissue formation.

Video: Microsurgical Obstruction of Testes Fusion in Spodoptera litura

Microsurgical Clip Obliteration of Middle Cerebral Aneurysm Using Intraoperative Flow Assessment

Cerebral aneurysms are abnormal widening or ballooning of a localized segment of an intracranial blood vessel.  Surgical clipping is an important treatment for aneurysms which attempts to exclude blood from flowing into the aneurysmal segment of the vessel while preserving blood flow in a normal fashion.  Improper clip placement may result in residual aneurysm with the potential for subsequent aneurysm rupture or partial or full occlusion of distal arteries resulting in cerebral infarction.  Here we describe the use of an ultrasonic flow probe to provide quantitative evaluation of arterial flow before and after microsurgical clip placement at the base of a middle cerebral artery aneurysm.  This information helps ensure adequate aneurysm reconstruction with preservation of normal distal blood flow.

Description of the surgical obliteration of a cerebral aneurysm utilizing an ultrasonic flow probe to assess arterial flow prior to and after aneurysm clip placement.

Cerebral aneurysms are abnormal widening or ballooning of a localized segment of an intracranial blood vessel.  Surgical clipping is an important ...

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Ovine Model

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common surgical operation for cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy in patients who have failed conservative treatment1,5. Since the operation was first described by Cloward2 and Smith and Robinson6 in 1958, a variety refinements in technique, graft material and implants have been made3. In particular, there is a need for safe osteoinductive agents that could benefit selected patients. The ovine model has been shown to have anatomical, biomechanical, bone density and radiological properties that are similar to the human counterpart, the most similar level being C3/44. It is therefore an ideal model in which preclinical studies can be performed. In particular this methodology may be useful to researchers interested in evaluating different devices and biologics, including stem cells, for potential application in human spinal surgery.

This video demonstrates the technique of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in the ovine model.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common surgical operation for cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy in patients who have ...

Isolation of Drosophila melanogaster Testes

The testes of Drosophila melanogaster provide an important model for the study of stem cell maintenance and differentiation, meiosis, and soma-germline interactions. Testes are typically isolated from adult males 0-3 days after eclosion from the pupal case. The testes of wild-type flies are easily distinguished from other tissues because they are yellow, but the testes of white mutant flies, a common genetic background for laboratory experiments are similar in both shape and color to the fly gut. Performing dissection on a glass microscope slide with a black background makes identifying the testes considerably easier. Testes are removed from the flies using dissecting needles. Compared to protocols that use forceps for testes dissection, our method is far quicker, allowing a well-practiced individual to dissect testes from 200-300 wild-type flies per hour, yielding 400-600 testes. Testes from white flies or from mutants that reduce testes size are harder to dissect and typically yield 200-400 testes per hour.

Isolation of Drosophila melanogaster Testes

Drosophila melanogaster testes can be rapidly and efficiently isolated from adult males using dissecting needles. With practice, one can readily isolate in one or two days an amount of testes sufficient for the analysis of DNA or RNA by high throughput sequencing or more traditional molecular biology methods or of protein for antibody- or enzyme-based assays.

The testes of Drosophila melanogaster provide an important model for the study of stem cell maintenance and differentiation, meiosis, and soma-germline ...

Analysis of SNARE-mediated Membrane Fusion Using an Enzymatic Cell Fusion Assay

The interactions of SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins on vesicles (v-SNAREs) and on target membranes (t-SNAREs) catalyze intracellular vesicle fusion1-4. Reconstitution assays are essential for dissecting the mechanism and regulation of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion5. In a cell fusion assay6,7, SNARE proteins are expressed ectopically at the cell surface. These "flipped" SNARE proteins drive cell-cell fusion, demonstrating that SNAREs are sufficient to fuse cellular membranes. Because the cell fusion assay is based on microscopic analysis, it is less efficient when used to analyze multiple v- and t-SNARE interactions quantitatively.
Here we describe a new assay8 that quantifies SNARE-mediated cell fusion events by activated expression of &beta;-galactosidase. Two components of the Tet-Off gene expression system9 are used as a readout system: the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) and a reporter plasmid that encodes the LacZ gene under control of the tetracycline-response element (TRE-LacZ). We transfect tTA into COS-7 cells that express flipped v-SNARE proteins at the cell surface (v-cells) and transfect TRE-LacZ into COS-7 cells that express flipped t-SNARE proteins at the cell surface (t-cells). SNARE-dependent fusion of the v- and t-cells results in the binding of tTA to TRE, the transcriptional activation of LacZ and expression of &beta;-galactosidase. The activity of &beta;-galactosidase is quantified using a colorimetric method by absorbance at 420 nm.
The vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMPs) are v-SNAREs that reside in various post-Golgi vesicular compartments10-15. By expressing VAMPs 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 at the same level, we compare their membrane fusion activities using the enzymatic cell fusion assay. Based on spectrometric measurement, this assay offers a quantitative approach for analyzing SNARE-mediated membrane fusion and for high-throughput studies.

We have developed a cell fusion assay that quantifies SNARE-mediated membrane fusion events by activated expression of &beta;-galactosidase.

The interactions of SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor)  proteins on vesicles (v-SNAREs) and on target membranes ...

Identification of Metabolically Active Bacteria in the Gut of the Generalist Spodoptera littoralis via DNA Stable Isotope Probing Using 13C-Glucose

Guts of most insects are inhabited by complex communities of symbiotic nonpathogenic bacteria. Within such microbial communities it is possible to identify commensal or mutualistic bacteria species. The latter ones, have been observed to serve multiple functions to the insect, i.e. helping in insect reproduction1, boosting the immune response2, pheromone production3, as well as nutrition, including the synthesis of essential amino acids4, among others. &#160; &#160;
Due to the importance of these associations, many efforts have been made to characterize the communities down to the individual members. However, most of these efforts were either based on cultivation methods or relied on the generation of 16S rRNA gene fragments which were sequenced for final identification. Unfortunately, these approaches only identified the bacterial species present in the gut and provided no information on the metabolic activity of the microorganisms.
To characterize the metabolically active bacterial species in the gut of an insect, we used stable isotope probing (SIP) in vivo employing 13C-glucose as a universal substrate. This is a promising culture-free technique that allows the linkage of microbial phylogenies to their particular metabolic activity. This is possible by tracking stable, isotope labeled atoms from substrates into microbial biomarkers, such as DNA and RNA5. The incorporation of 13C isotopes into DNA increases the density of the labeled DNA compared to the unlabeled (12C) one. In the end, the 13C-labeled DNA or RNA is separated by density-gradient ultracentrifugation from the 12C-unlabeled similar one6. Subsequent molecular analysis of the separated nucleic acid isotopomers provides the connection between metabolic activity and identity of the species.
Here, we present the protocol used to characterize the metabolically active bacteria in the gut of a generalist insect (our model system), Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). The phylogenetic analysis of the DNA was done using pyrosequencing, which allowed high resolution and precision in the identification of insect gut bacterial community. As main substrate, 13C-labeled glucose was used in the experiments. The substrate was fed to the insects using an artificial diet.

Identification of Metabolically Active Bacteria in the Gut of the Generalist Spodoptera littoralis via DNA Stable Isotope Probing Using 13C-Glucose

The active bacterial community associated with the gut of Spodoptera littoralis, was determined by stable-isotope-probing (SIP) coupled to pyrosequencing. Using this methodology, identification of the metabolically active bacteria species within the community was done with high resolution and precision.

Guts of most insects are inhabited by complex communities of symbiotic nonpathogenic bacteria. Within such microbial communities it is possible to ...

Imaging Centrosomes in Fly Testes

Centrosomes are conserved microtubule-based organelles whose structure and function change dramatically throughout the cell cycle and cell differentiation. Centrosomes are essential to determine the cell division axis during mitosis and to nucleate cilia during interphase. The identity of the proteins that mediate these dynamic changes remains only partially known, and the function of many of the proteins that have been implicated in these processes is still rudimentary. Recent work has shown that Drosophila spermatogenesis provides a powerful system to identify new proteins critical for centrosome function and formation as well as to gain insight into the particular function of known players in centrosome-related processes. Drosophila is an established genetic model organism where mutants in centrosomal genes can be readily obtained and easily analyzed. Furthermore, recent advances in the sensitivity and resolution of light microscopy and the development of robust genetically tagged centrosomal markers have transformed the ability to use Drosophila testes as a simple and accessible model system to study centrosomes. This paper describes the use of genetically-tagged centrosomal markers to perform genetic screens for new centrosomal mutants and to gain insight into the specific function of newly identified genes.

Imaging of centrosomal proteins during Drosophila spermatogenesis is a powerful method to identify new proteins critical for centrosome biology as well as to elucidate the particular function of known players in this process.

Centrosomes are conserved microtubule-based organelles whose structure and function change dramatically throughout the cell cycle and cell ...

Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis: Live and Fixed Preparations of Drosophila Testes

Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model system that has been widely used to elucidate a variety of biological processes. For example, studies of both the female and male germ lines of Drosophila have contributed greatly to the current understanding of meiosis as well as stem cell biology. Excellent protocols are available in the literature for the isolation and imaging of Drosophila ovaries&#160;and testes3-12. Herein, methods for the dissection and preparation of Drosophila testes for microscopic analysis are described with an accompanying video demonstration. A protocol for isolating testes from the abdomen of adult males and preparing slides of live tissue for analysis by phase-contrast microscopy as well as a protocol for fixing and immunostaining testes for analysis by fluorescence microscopy are presented. These techniques can be applied in the characterization of Drosophila mutants that exhibit defects in spermatogenesis as well as in the visualization of subcellular localizations of proteins.

Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis: Live and Fixed Preparations of Drosophila Testes

Methods for isolating and preparing Drosophila testes samples (live and fixed) for imaging by phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy are described herein.&#160;

Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model system that has been widely used to elucidate a variety of biological processes. For example, studies of both ...

Cryopreservation of Zebrafish Spermatogonia by Whole Testes Needle Immersed Ultra-Rapid Cooling

Current trends in science and biotechnology lead to creation of thousands of new lines in model organisms thereby leading to the necessity for new methods for safe storage of genetic resources beyond the common practices of keeping breeding colonies. The main purpose of this study was to adapt the needle immersed vitrification (NIV) procedure to cryopreserve whole zebrafish testes. Cryopreservation of early-stage germ cells by whole testes NIV offers possibilities for the storage of zebrafish genetic resources, especially since after transplantation they can mature into both male and female gametes. Testes were excised, pinned on an acupuncture needle, equilibrated in two cryoprotective media (equilibration solution containing 1.5 M methanol and 1.5 M propylene glycol; and vitrification solution containing 3 M dimethyl sulfoxide and 3 M propylene glycol) and plunged into liquid nitrogen. Samples were warmed in a series of three consequent warming solutions. The main advantages of this technique are (1) the lack of spermatozoa after digestion of warmed testes thus facilitating downstream manipulations; (2) ultra-rapid cooling enabling the optimal exposure of tissues to liquid nitrogen therefore maximizing the cooling and reducing the required concentration of cryoprotectants, thereby reducing their toxicity; (3) synchronous exposure of several testes to cryoprotectants and liquid nitrogen; and (4) repeatability demonstrated by obtaining viability of above 50% in five different zebrafish strains.

The main purpose of this study was to adapt the needle immersed vitrification (NIV) procedure to cryopreserve whole zebrafish testes. Additionally, the repeatability of the method in five different zebrafish strains was tested.

Current trends in science and biotechnology lead to creation of thousands of new lines in model organisms thereby leading to the necessity for new methods ...

A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction

Intestinal obstructions, that impede or block peristaltic movement, can be caused by abdominal adhesions and most gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including tumorous growths. However, the cellular remodeling mechanisms involved in, and caused by, intestinal obstructions are poorly understood. Several animal models of intestinal obstructions have been developed, but the mouse model is the most cost/time effective. The mouse model uses the surgical implantation of an intestinal partial obstruction (PO) that has a high mortality rate if it is not performed correctly. In addition, mice receiving PO surgery fail to develop hypertrophy if an appropriate blockade is not used or not properly placed. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for PO surgery which produces reliable and reproducible intestinal obstructions with a very low mortality rate. This protocol utilizes a surgically placed silicone ring that surrounds the ileum which partially blocks digestive movement in the small intestine. The partial blockage makes the intestine become dilated due to the halt of digestive movement. The dilation of the intestine induces smooth muscle hypertrophy on the oral side of the ring that progressively develops over 2 weeks until it causes death. The surgical PO mouse model offers an in vivo model of hypertrophic intestinal tissue useful for studying pathological changes of intestinal cells including smooth muscle cells (SMC), interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), PDGFR&#945;+, and neuronal cells during the development of intestinal obstruction.

Intestinal obstructions are a partial or complete blockage of the intestine that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and preventing the passage of stool. This procedure for creating intestinal partial obsructions in mice is reliable in studying the mechanisms underlying pathological cell growth and death in the intestine.

Intestinal obstructions, that impede or block peristaltic movement, can be caused by abdominal adhesions and most gastrointestinal (GI) diseases including ...

Effect of Fluorescent Proteins on Fusion Partners Using Polyglutamine Toxicity Assays in Yeast

For the investigation of protein localization and trafficking using live cell imaging, researchers often rely on fusing their protein of interest to a fluorescent reporter. The constantly evolving list of genetically encoded fluorescent proteins (FPs) presents users with several alternatives when it comes to fluorescent fusion design. Each FP has specific optical and biophysical properties that can affect the biochemical, cellular, and functional properties of the resulting fluorescent fusions. For instance, several FPs tend to form nonspecific oligomers that are susceptible to impede on the function of the fusion partner. Unfortunately, only a few methods exist to test the impact of FPs on the behavior of the fluorescent reporter. Here, we describe a simple method that enables the rapid assessment of the impact of FPs using polyglutamine (polyQ) toxicity assays in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PolyQ-expanded huntingtin proteins are associated with the onset of Huntington&#39;s disease (HD), where the expanded huntingtin aggregates into toxic oligomers and inclusion bodies. The aggregation and toxicity of polyQ expansions in yeast are highly dependent on the sequences flanking the polyQ region, including the presence of fluorescent tags, thus providing an ideal experimental platform to study the impact of FPs on the behavior of their fusion partner.

This article describes protocols to assess the effect of fluorescent proteins on the aggregation and toxicity of misfolded polyglutamine expansion for the rapid evaluation of a newly uncharacterized fluorescent protein in the context of fluorescent reporters.

For the investigation of protein localization and trafficking using live cell imaging, researchers often rely on fusing their protein of interest to a ...