The authors wish to thank the members of the Dowling lab (Aaron Reifler, Trent Waugh, Angela Busta, and William Telfer) that contributed to the development of the technique and to the production of the manuscript. This work was funded by the Taubman Institute, the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan, and in part from grants from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (JJD MDA186999) and the National Institutes of Health (JJD 1K08AR054835).

1. Preparation of Poly-L-Lysine Coated Coverslips (Time: 1 hr)
Coating coverslips allows for rapid myofiber settling and adhesion. This may be performed during the dissociation step of the myofiber isolation (step 2 below).
<ol>
	<li>Cut and place Parafilm on the bottom of a 60 mm Petri dish (any brand).</li>
	<li>Place microscope cover glass slips (12 mm diameter) on Parafilm in a 60 mm tissue culture dish or place them individually in single wells of 24-well plates.</li>
</ol>
<p class="jo...

<ol>
	<li>Dulhunty, A. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Excitation-contraction+coupling+from+the+1950s+into+the+new+millennium.">Excitation-contraction coupling from the 1950s into the new millennium.</a> Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 33, 763-772 (2006).</li><li>Bannister, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bridging+the+myoplasmic+gap:+recent+developments+in+skeletal+muscle+excitation-contraction+coupling.">Bridging the myoplasmic gap: recent developments in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling.</a> J. Muscle Res. Cell Motil. 28, 275-283 (2007).</li><li>Ohno, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+defects+and+disorders+at+the+neuromuscular+junction.">Genetic defects and disorders at the neuromuscular junction.</a> Brain Nerve. 63, 669-678 (2011).</li><li>Lanner, J. T., Georgiou, D. K., Joshi, A. D., Hamilton, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ryanodine+receptors:+structure,+expression,+molecular+details,+and+function+in+calcium+release.">Ryanodine receptors: structure, expression, molecular details, and function in calcium release.</a> Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Biol. 2, (2010).</li><li>Dolphin, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Calcium+channel+diversity:+multiple+roles+of+calcium+channel+subunits.">Calcium channel diversity: multiple roles of calcium channel subunits.</a> Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 19, 237-244 (2009).</li><li>Sparrow, J. C., Schock, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+initial+steps+of+myofibril+assembly:+integrins+pave+the+way.">The initial steps of myofibril assembly: integrins pave the way.</a> Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 10, 293-298 (2009).</li><li>Lapidos, K. A., Kakkar, R., McNally, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+dystrophin+glycoprotein+complex:+signaling+strength+and+integrity+for+the+sarcolemma.">The dystrophin glycoprotein complex: signaling strength and integrity for the sarcolemma.</a> Circ. Res. 94, 1023-1031 (2004).</li><li>Bassett, D., Currie, P. D. <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+zebrafish+model+of+muscular+dystrophy.">Identification of a zebrafish model of muscular dystrophy.</a> Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 31, 537-540 (2004).</li><li>Barresi, R., Campbell, K. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dystroglycan:+from+biosynthesis+to+pathogenesis+of+human+disease.">Dystroglycan: from biosynthesis to pathogenesis of human disease.</a> J. Cell Sci. 119, 199-207 (2006).</li><li>Emery, A. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Population+frequencies+of+inherited+neuromuscular+diseases-a+world+survey.">Population frequencies of inherited neuromuscular diseases-a world survey.</a> Neuromuscul. Disord. 1, 19-29 (1991).</li><li>Nance, J. R., Dowling, J. J., Gibbs, E. M., Bonnemann, C. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Congenital+myopathies:+an+update.">Congenital myopathies: an update.</a> Curr. Neurol. Neurosci. Rep. 12, 165-174 (2012).</li><li>Bassett, D. I., Currie, P. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+zebrafish+as+a+model+for+muscular+dystrophy+and+congenital+myopathy.">The zebrafish as a model for muscular dystrophy and congenital myopathy.</a> Hum. Mol. Genet. 12, 265-270 (2003).</li><li>Dooley, K., Zon, L. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Zebrafish:+a+model+system+for+the+study+of+human+disease.">Zebrafish: a model system for the study of human disease.</a> Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev. 10, 252-256 (2000).</li><li>Dowling, J. 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=Loss+of+myotubularin+function+results+in+T-tubule+disorganization+in+zebrafish+and+human+myotubular+myopathy.">Loss of myotubularin function results in T-tubule disorganization in zebrafish and human myotubular myopathy.</a> PLoS Genet. 5, (2009).</li><li>Dowling, J. 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=Oxidative+stress+and+successful+antioxidant+treatment+in+models+of+RYR1-related+myopathy.">Oxidative stress and successful antioxidant treatment in models of RYR1-related myopathy.</a> Brain. 135, 1115-1127 (2012).</li><li>Kawahara, G., 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=Drug+screening+in+a+zebrafish+model+of+Duchenne+muscular+dystrophy.">Drug screening in a zebrafish model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 108, 5331-5336 (2011).</li><li>Detrich, H. W., Westerfield, M., M, L. I., Zon, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Overview+of+the+Zebrafish+system.">Overview of the Zebrafish system.</a> Methods Cell Biol. 59, 3-10 (1999).</li><li>Nixon, S. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Zebrafish+as+a+model+for+caveolin-associated+muscle+disease;+caveolin-3+is+required+for+myofibril+organization+and+muscle+cell+patterning.">Zebrafish as a model for caveolin-associated muscle disease; caveolin-3 is required for myofibril organization and muscle cell patterning.</a> Hum. Mol. Genet. 14, 1727-1743 (2005).</li><li>Schredelseker, 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=The+beta+1a+subunit+is+essential+for+the+assembly+of+dihydropyridine-receptor+arrays+in+skeletal+muscle.">The beta 1a subunit is essential for the assembly of dihydropyridine-receptor arrays in skeletal muscle.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 102, 17219-17224 (2005).</li><li>Telfer, W. R., Nelson, D. D., Waugh, T., Brooks, S. V., Dowling, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=neb:+a+zebrafish+model+of+nemaline+myopathy+due+to+nebulin+mutation.">neb: a zebrafish model of nemaline myopathy due to nebulin mutation.</a> Dis. Model Mech. 5, 389-396 (2012).</li><li>Dowling, J. J., Low, S. E., Busta, A. S., Feldman, 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=Zebrafish+MTMR14+is+required+for+excitation-contraction+coupling,+developmental+motor+function+and+the+regulation+of+autophagy.">Zebrafish MTMR14 is required for excitation-contraction coupling, developmental motor function and the regulation of autophagy.</a> Hum. Mol. Genet. 19, 2668-2681 (2010).</li><li>Schredelseker, J., Dayal, A., Schwerte, T., Franzini-Armstrong, C., Grabner, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Proper+restoration+of+excitation-contraction+coupling+in+the+dihydropyridine+receptor+beta1-null+zebrafish+relaxed+is+an+exclusive+function+of+the+beta1a+subunit.">Proper restoration of excitation-contraction coupling in the dihydropyridine receptor beta1-null zebrafish relaxed is an exclusive function of the beta1a subunit.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 284, 1242-1251 (2009).</li><li>Higashijima, S., Okamoto, H., Ueno, N., Hotta, Y., Eguchi, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-frequency+generation+of+transgenic+zebrafish+which+reliably+express+GFP+in+whole+muscles+or+the+whole+body+by+using+promoters+of+zebrafish+origin.">High-frequency generation of transgenic zebrafish which reliably express GFP in whole muscles or the whole body by using promoters of zebrafish origin.</a> Dev. Biol. 192, 289-299 (1997).</li><li>Tian, 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=Imaging+neural+activity+in+worms,+flies+and+mice+with+improved+GCaMP+calcium+indicators.">Imaging neural activity in worms, flies and mice with improved GCaMP calcium indicators.</a> Nat. Methods. 6, 875-881 (2009).</li><li>Zhou, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-sense+mutations+in+the+dihydropyridine+receptor+beta1+gene,+CACNB1,+paralyze+zebrafish+relaxed+mutants.">Non-sense mutations in the dihydropyridine receptor beta1 gene, CACNB1, paralyze zebrafish relaxed mutants.</a> Cell Calcium. 39, 227-236 (2006).</li><li>Dora, K. A., Doyle, M. P., Duling, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Elevation+of+intracellular+calcium+in+smooth+muscle+causes+endothelial+cell+generation+of+NO+in+arterioles.">Elevation of intracellular calcium in smooth muscle causes endothelial cell generation of NO in arterioles.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94, 6529-6534 (1997).</li><li>Hirata, 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=accordion,+a+zebrafish+behavioral+mutant,+has+a+muscle+relaxation+defect+due+to+a+mutation+in+the+ATPase+Ca2++pump+SERCA1.">accordion, a zebrafish behavioral mutant, has a muscle relaxation defect due to a mutation in the ATPase Ca2+ pump SERCA1.</a> Development. 131, 5457-5468 (2004).</li><li>van Eeden, F. 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=Mutations+affecting+somite+formation+and+patterning+in+the+zebrafish,+Danio+rerio.">Mutations affecting somite formation and patterning in the zebrafish, Danio rerio.</a> Development. 123, 153-164 (1996).</li><li>Gupta, V., 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+zebrafish+dag1+mutant:+a+novel+genetic+model+for+dystroglycanopathies.">The zebrafish dag1 mutant: a novel genetic model for dystroglycanopathies.</a> Hum. Mol. Genet. 20, 1712-1725 (2011).</li><li>Leuranguer, V., Papadopoulos, S., Beam, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organization+of+calcium+channel+beta1a+subunits+in+triad+junctions+in+skeletal+muscle.">Organization of calcium channel beta1a subunits in triad junctions in skeletal muscle.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 281, 3521-3527 (2006).</li><li>Capote, J., Bolanos, P., Schuhmeier, R. P., Melzer, W., Caputo, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Calcium+transients+in+developing+mouse+skeletal+muscle+fibres.">Calcium transients in developing mouse skeletal muscle fibres.</a> J. Physiol. 564, 451-464 (2005).</li><li>Adams, B. A., Tanabe, T., Mikami, A., Numa, S., Beam, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intramembrane+charge+movement+restored+in+dysgenic+skeletal+muscle+by+injection+of+dihydropyridine+receptor+cDNAs.">Intramembrane charge movement restored in dysgenic skeletal muscle by injection of dihydropyridine receptor cDNAs.</a> Nature. 346, (1990).</li><li>Sakowski, S. 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=A+novel+approach+to+study+motor+neurons+from+zebrafish+embryos+and+larvae+in+culture.">A novel approach to study motor neurons from zebrafish embryos and larvae in culture.</a> J. Neurosci. Methods. 205, 277-282 (2012).</li><li>Nakano, 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=Biogenesis+of+GPI-anchored+proteins+is+essential+for+surface+expression+of+sodium+channels+in+zebrafish+Rohon-Beard+neurons+to+respond+to+mechanosensory+stimulation.">Biogenesis of GPI-anchored proteins is essential for surface expression of sodium channels in zebrafish Rohon-Beard neurons to respond to mechanosensory stimulation.</a> Development. 137, 1689-1698 (2010).</li><li>Davidson, A. 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Zebrafish are a powerful vertebrate model system for studying muscle development and function&#160;in vivo25,27,28&#160;. They have also emerged as a valuable asset for modeling human muscle diseases14,15,20,29&#160;. While great strides have been taken to advance the use and application of zebrafish for the study of muscle function and muscle disease, there is a constant critical need to develop tools that will allow more in depth analysis that compliments the genetic, morphologic, behavio...

Skeletal muscle is a highly specialized tissue responsible for generating the contractile forces necessary for motility. Contraction is initiated through a process known as excitation-contraction (EC) coupling that converts electric signals to calcium release from intracellular stores1,2 . Intracellular calcium release activates the sarcomere to shorten and generate force. The many specific components of the molecular machinery responsible for mediating neuromuscular junction transmission3, EC coupling4,5 , and actin-myosin dependent contractions6 continue to be the ongoing subject of intense research. In addition, proteins that stabilize the muscle membrane during contraction7,8 and that mediate signaling between the myofiber and the extracellular matrix7,9 have been identified and studied in great detail.
Mutations in a number of genes important for muscle structure and function have been identified as causes of human skeletal muscle diseases (<a href="http://www.musclegenetable.org/" target="_blank">http://www.musclegenetable.org/</a>). These diseases, classified broadly as skeletal myopathies and muscular dystrophies based on clinical and histopathologic features, are associated with muscle weakness, lifelong disability, and early mortality10,11 . The zebrafish has proven to be an outstanding system for modeling and studying human skeletal muscle diseases8,12,13 . It has been employed to validate new gene mutations8, define new aspects of disease pathophysiology14,15 , and identify new therapeutic approaches15,16 . The power of the zebrafish for studying human muscle disease relates to the large number of offspring, the rapid development of muscle structure and function, the optical clarity of the zebrafish embryo, and the ease of genetic and pharmacologic manipulation of the developing zebrafish17.
We and others12,18,19 have recently developed a simple technique for the rapid and efficient isolation of myofibers from the developing zebrafish. This methodology has enabled the examination of myofibers in greater detail than can be provided by whole embryo analysis. The technique has been exploited for the characterization of protein subcellular localization20 as well as for the identification of important histopathologic characteristics as part of validation studies in newly developed disease models21. Furthermore, isolated myofibers can additionally be used for live imaging and for electrophysiological studies22, techniques that allow for the interrogation of key aspects of muscle function. The specific protocol for myofiber isolation, along with two examples of subsequent analytic experiments, is detailed in the remaining parts of this manuscript.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of the reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalogue number</td>
			<td>Comments (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-well culture plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3524</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10x PBS</td>
			<td>Invitrogen Gibco</td>
			<td>70011</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CO2 Independent medium</td>
			<td>Invitrogen Gibco</td>
			<td>18045</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase Type II</td>
			<td>Worthington Biochemical</td>
			<td>LS004186</td>
			<td>Lot 41H12764</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase Type IV</td>
			<td>Worthington Biochemical</td>
			<td>L5004188</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>8% Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>157-8</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Methanol</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>322415</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>X100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A2153</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sheep serum</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S3772</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat serum</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G9023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass coverslips</td>
			<td>Fischerbrand</td>
			<td>12-545-82 12CIR-1D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-Lysine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P4707</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pronase</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P5147</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>40 &#956;m Filter</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>352340</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>70 &#956;m Filter</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>352350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prolong Gold antifade reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>P36931</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-&#945;-Actinin antibody</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A5044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-RYR antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>34C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor antibody</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A-21425</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TWEEN 20</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P1379</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>60 mm Petri dish</td>
			<td>Fischerbrand</td>
			<td>0875713A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-Ornithine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P4957</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope slide</td>
			<td>Fischerbrand</td>
			<td>12-550-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Caffeine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C0750</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

analysis of embryonic and larval zebrafish skeletal myofibers from dissociated preparations

The zebrafish has proven to be a valuable model system for exploring skeletal muscle function and for studying human muscle diseases. Despite the many advantages offered by in vivo analysis of skeletal muscle in the zebrafish, visualizing the complex and finely structured protein milieu responsible for muscle function, especially in whole embryos, can be problematic. This hindrance stems from the small size of zebrafish skeletal muscle (60 &mu;m) and the even smaller size of the sarcomere. Here we describe and demonstrate a simple and rapid method for isolating skeletal myofibers from zebrafish embryos and larvae. We also include protocols that illustrate post preparation techniques useful for analyzing muscle structure and function. Specifically, we detail the subsequent immunocytochemical localization of skeletal muscle proteins and the qualitative analysis of stimulated calcium release via live cell calcium imaging. Overall, this video article provides a straight-forward and efficient method for the isolation and characterization of zebrafish skeletal myofibers, a technique which provides a conduit for myriad subsequent studies of muscle structure and function.

Fluorescent immunolabeling of myofibers (Figure 2) 
Images showing expected fluorescent labeling pattern from myofibers immunostained after successful isolation and plating. The myofibers have been labeled with either anti-ryanodine receptor (1:100) (Figure 2A) or anti-&#945;-actinin (1:100) (Figure 2B) antibodies, and reveal immunostaining of the triad and the Z-band respectively. Secondary antibodies used were Alexa Fluor 555 (1:500...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Analysis of Embryonic and Larval Zebrafish Skeletal Myofibers from Dissociated Preparations at JoVE.com

Analysis of Embryonic and Larval Zebrafish Skeletal Myofibers from Dissociated Preparations

Zebrafish are an emerging system for modeling human disorders of the skeletal muscle. We describe a fast and efficient method to isolate skeletal muscle myofibers from embryonic and larval zebrafish. This method yields a high-density myofiber preparation suitable for study of single skeletal muscle fiber morphology, protein subcellular localization, and muscle physiology.

The zebrafish has  proven to be a valuable model system for exploring skeletal muscle function and  for studying human muscle diseases. Despite  the many ...

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11.5K visualizações.  University of Michigan.  Peixe-zebra são um sistema emergente para modelar doenças humanas do músculo esquelético. Nós descrevemos um método rápido e eficiente para isolar fibras musculares do músculo esquelético de peixe-zebra embrionário e larval. Este método conduz a uma preparação de alta densidade de células musculares adequado para o estudo da morfologia da fibra muscular esquelética única, a localização subcelular de proteínas, e da fisiologia do músculo. 