Name: observation and quantification of telomere and repetitive sequences using fluorescence in situ hybridization (fish) with pna probes in caenorhabditis elegans
Uploaded: 2016-08-04T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Observation and Quantification of Telomere and Repetitive Sequences Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization FISH with PNA Probes in Caenorhabditis elegans at

Mutant worm strains were kindly provided by the Caenorhabditis Genetics Center. This research was supported by a grant of the Korea Health Technology R&amp;D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), funded by the Ministry of Health &amp; Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant number: HI14C1277).

1. Labeling Probes with Digoxigenin-dUTP by PCR
<ol>
	<li>Perform PCR labeling with 10x dNTP mix containing digoxigenin-dUTP as previously described13.</li>
	<li>Purify PCR product with spin-column purification according to manufacturer&#39;s instruction.
	<ol>
		<li>If the probe is shorter than 200 bp, remove free digoxigenin-dUTP with spin-column chromatography from the reaction mixture rather than spin-column purification.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Preparing Polylysine Coated Slide...

<ol>
	<li>Reddel, R. R., Bryan, T. M., Murnane, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immortalized+cells+with+no+detectable+telomerase+activity.+A+review.">Immortalized cells with no detectable telomerase activity. A review.</a> Biochemistry-Moscow. 62, 1254-1262 (1997).</li><li>Seo, B., 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=Telomere+maintenance+through+recruitment+of+internal+genomic+regions.">Telomere maintenance through recruitment of internal genomic regions.</a> Nat Commun. 6, 8189 (2015).</li><li>Cesare, A. J., Reddel, R. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alternative+lengthening+of+telomeres:+models,+mechanisms+and+implications.">Alternative lengthening of telomeres: models, mechanisms and implications.</a> Nat Rev Genet. 11, 319-330 (2010).</li><li>Meier, B., 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=trt-1+is+the+Caenorhabditis+elegans+catalytic+subunit+of+telomerase.">trt-1 is the Caenorhabditis elegans catalytic subunit of telomerase.</a> Plos Genetics. 2, 187-197 (2006).</li><li>Cawthon, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Telomere+measurement+by+quantitative+PCR.">Telomere measurement by quantitative PCR.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 30, 47 (2002).</li><li>Raices, M., Maruyama, H., Dillin, A., Karlseder, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Uncoupling+of+longevity+and+telomere+length+in+C.+elegans.">Uncoupling of longevity and telomere length in C. elegans.</a> PLoS Genet. 1, 30 (2005).</li><li>Southern, 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=Detection+of+Specific+Sequences+among+DNA+Fragments+Separated+by+Gel-Electrophoresis.">Detection of Specific Sequences among DNA Fragments Separated by Gel-Electrophoresis.</a> Journal of Molecular Biology. 98, 503 (1975).</li><li>Lee, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Telomere+extension+by+telomerase+and+ALT+generates+variant+repeats+by+mechanistically+distinct+processes.">Telomere extension by telomerase and ALT generates variant repeats by mechanistically distinct processes.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 42, 1733-1746 (2014).</li><li>Cheung, I., 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=Strain-specific+telomere+length+revealed+by+single+telomere+length+analysis+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Strain-specific telomere length revealed by single telomere length analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 32, 3383-3391 (2004).</li><li>Shtessel, 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=Caenorhabditis+elegans+POT-1+and+POT-2+repress+telomere+maintenance+pathways.">Caenorhabditis elegans POT-1 and POT-2 repress telomere maintenance pathways.</a> G3. 3, 305-313 (2013).</li><li>Duerr, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunohistochemistry.">Immunohistochemistry.</a> WormBook (The C. elegans Research Community). , (2006).</li><li>Phillips, C. M., McDonald, K. L., Dernburg, 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=Cytological+analysis+of+meiosis+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Cytological analysis of meiosis in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Meiosis: Volume 2, Cytological Methods. , 171-195 (2009).</li><li>Emanuel, 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=Simple+and+efficient+system+for+synthesis+of+non-radioactive+nucleic+acid+hybridization+probes+using+PCR.">Simple and efficient system for synthesis of non-radioactive nucleic acid hybridization probes using PCR.</a> Nucleic acids research. 19, 2790 (1991).</li><li>Stiernagle, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Maintenance+of+C.+elegans.">Maintenance of C. elegans.</a> WormBook. , 1-11 (2006).</li><li>Porta-de-la-Riva, M., Fontrodona, L., Villanueva, A., Ceron, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Basic+Caenorhabditis+elegans+methods:+synchronization+and+observation.">Basic Caenorhabditis elegans methods: synchronization and observation.</a> J Vis Exp. , e4019 (2012).</li><li>Poon, S. S. S., Martens, U. M., Ward, R. K., Lansdorp, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Telomere+length+measurements+using+digital+fluorescence+microscopy.">Telomere length measurements using digital fluorescence microscopy.</a> Cytometry. 36, 267-278 (1999).</li><li>Ferreira, H. C., Towbin, B. D., Jegou, T., Gasser, S. 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+shelterin+protein+POT-1+anchors+Caenorhabditis+elegans+telomeres+through+SUN-1+at+the+nuclear+periphery.">The shelterin protein POT-1 anchors Caenorhabditis elegans telomeres through SUN-1 at the nuclear periphery.</a> J Cell Biol. 203, 727-735 (2013).</li><li>Lee, M. H., Schedl, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RNA+in+situ+hybridization+of+dissected+gonads.">RNA in situ hybridization of dissected gonads.</a> WormBook. , 1-7 (2006).</li><li>Tabara, H., Motohashi, T., Kohara, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+multi-well+version+of+in+situ+hybridization+on+whole+mount+embryos+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">A multi-well version of in situ hybridization on whole mount embryos of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 24, 2119-2124 (1996).</li><li>Poon, S. S., Lansdorp, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+fluorescence+in+situ+hybridization+(Q-FISH).">Quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH).</a> Curr Protoc Cell Biol. 18, 14 (2001).</li></ol>

The main advantage of our protocol is the simplicity of the procedure without noticeable damage to the morphology of cellular structure. Several steps were optimized for C. elegans FISH in this protocol. The critical steps for successful FISH include labeling of probes, fixation of embryos and penetration. Digoxigenin-dUTP labeling method provides an easy-to-use labeling method by PCR or nick-translation. To label long target sequence, nick-translation is preferred. In this case, the probes should be digested wi...

Telomere protects chromosomal ends from aberrant fusion and degradation. Mammalian telomere is composed of G-rich hexameric repeats, TTAGGG, and shelterin complexes. The telomere repeat sequence of the nematode is similar to those of mammals (TTAGGC). Most eukaryotes utilize telomerase to add telomere repeats to their chromosomal ends. However, 10 - 15% of cancer cells utilize telomerase independent mechanism, known as Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT)3. Previously, we reported that telomere repeats and its associated sequences, named as TALT, were amplified in the telomeres of telomerase mutant lines that survived critical sterility2.
Telomere length was measured by quantitative PCR or by Southern blot, which provides average length of total telomeres4,5,6,7. Read count of telomere repeat in whole genome sequencing data is also an indicator of total telomere contents8. Although Single TElomere Length Analysis (STELA) could provide the length of a single telomere, it cannot provide spatial information of telomeres9. While POT-1::mCherry reporter protein provides the spatial information of telomeres in vivo, it cannot represent lengths of double-stranded telomeres, as POT-1 is a single-strand telomere binding protein10.
While aforementioned methods provide the averaged information of repetitive sequences, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) allows to observe the amount and spatial pattern of individual sequences of interest on a chromosomal scale. Instead of purification of DNA, tissues or cells are fixed to preserve the native spatial information in FISH. Thus, FISH is a both quantitative and qualitative tool for observation of individual repeat sequences, such as telomere repeats.
This protocol provides an efficient method for simultaneous detection of both telomere and other repeats based on improvements from previously described methods 11,12. C. elegans larvae or adults are multicellular organism with highly differentiated cells. The heterogeneity of cells impedes on the quantitative analysis of a large number of telomere spots. To maximize the number of cells analyzed, embryos are isolated and spread on the polylysine-coated slides for FISH. In addition, this protocol can also be combined with immunofluorescence.
As a proof that the protocol works, we show that it is possible to observe and quantify two different repetitive sequences. DNA probe against TALT1 was generated with simple PCR incorporating digoxigenin-dUTP. Then this TALT1 probe and fluorescence-labeled telomere PNA probe were hybridized simultaneously. Subsequently, digoxigenin was detected by canonical immunofluorescence methods. We present here the representative images where TALT1 colocalized with the telomere in trt-1 survivors.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>PNA probe</td>
			<td>PANAGENE</td>
			<td>custom order</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Digoxigenin-Fluorescein, Fab fragments</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>11207741910</td>
			<td>use 1:200 diluted in PBST</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digoxigenin-dUTP</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>11573152910</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine serum albumin</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>A-7906</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>P-6148</td>
			<td>prepare 4% paraformaldehyde by heating in DW with few drops of NaOH. add 0.1 volume of 10x PBS.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vectashield</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>H-1200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hybridizaiton solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>3X SSC, 50% formamide, 10% (w/v) dextran sulfate, 50 ug/ml heparin, 100 ug/ml yeast tRNA , 100ug/ml sonicated salmon sperm DNA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hybridizaiton wash solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>2X SSC, 50% formamide</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Formamide</td>
			<td>BIONEER</td>
			<td>C-9012</td>
			<td>toxic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Methanol</td>
			<td>Carlo Erba</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>Carlo Erba</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>H3393</td>
			<td>make 10 mg/ml for stock solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dextran sulfate</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>67578</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10X PBS</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>For 1 Liter DW : 80 g NaCl, 2.0 g KCl, 27 g Na2HPO4:7H2O, 2.4 g KH2PO</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBST</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>1X PBS, 0.1% tween-20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polysorbate 20</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>P-2287</td>
			<td>Commercial name is Tween-20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-Lysine solution (0.1 % w/v)</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>P-8920</td>
			<td>prepare fresh 0.01 % w/v solution before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>M9</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>3 g KH2PO4, 6 g Na2HPO4, 5 g NaCl, 1 ml 1 M MgSO4, H2O to 1 L</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bleaching solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>20% sodium hypochlorite, 0.5 M KOH</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibody buffer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>1X PBST, 1mM EDTA, 0.1% BSA, 0.05% Sodium azide (toxic)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Blocking solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Antibody buffer with 5% bovine serum albumin (BSA)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>illustra Microspin G-50</td>
			<td>GE healthcare</td>
			<td>27-53310-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20X SSC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>To make 1L, 175.3 g of NaCl, 88.2 g of sodium citrate, H2O to 1 L, adjust pH to 7.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2X SSCT</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>2X SSC, 0.1 % tween-20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10x digoxigenin-dUTP mix</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>1 mM dATP, 1 mM dGTP, 1 mM dCTP, 0.65mM dTTP, 0.35mM DIG-11-dUTP</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PCR purification columns</td>
			<td>Cosmo genetech</td>
			<td>CMR0112</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass cleaner / ULTRA CLEAN</td>
			<td>Dukssan pure chemicals</td>
			<td>8AV721</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multi-well glass slide</td>
			<td>MP biomedicals</td>
			<td>96041205</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nematode growth media</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>to make 1 L, 3 g of NaCl, 17 g of agar, 2.5 g of peptone, H2O to 974 mL. Autoclave and cool the flask. Add 1 mL of 1M CaCl2, 1 ml of 4 mg/mL cholesterol in ethanol, 1 ml of 1 M MgSO4, 25 mL of 1 M KPO4.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Levamisole</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>196142</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Razor</td>
			<td>Feather</td>
			<td>blade No. 11</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rnase A</td>
			<td>Enzynomics</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>SIGMA-ALDRICH</td>
			<td>A7906</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Confocal microsope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>LSM 510</td>
			<td>EC Plan-Neofluar 100x was used as objective lens.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dry block / aluminum block</td>
			<td>Labtech</td>
			<td>LBH-T03</td>
			<td>Set temperature to 80&#8451;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Humid chamber</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Plastic box filled with paper towel soaked in DW</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Image Analysis Software&#160;</td>
			<td>Dr. Peter Landsdorp</td>
			<td>TFL-telo</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.flintbox.com/public/project/502">http://www.flintbox.com/public/project/502</a></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

observation and quantification of telomere and repetitive sequences using fluorescence in situ hybridization (fish) with pna probes in caenorhabditis elegans

Telomere is a ribonucleoprotein structure that protects chromosomal ends from aberrant fusion and degradation. Telomere length is maintained by telomerase or an alternative pathway, known as alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)1. Recently, C. elegans has emerged as a multicellular model organism for the study of telomere and ALT2. Visualization of repetitive sequences in the genome is critical in understanding the biology of telomeres. While telomere length can be measured by telomere restriction fragment assay or quantitative PCR, these methods only provide the averaged telomere length. On the contrary, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can provide the information of the individual telomeres in cells. Here, we provide protocols and representative results of the method to determine telomere length of C. elegans by fluorescent in situ hybridization. This method provides a simple, but powerful, in situ procedure that does not cause noticeable damage to morphology. By using fluorescently labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and digoxigenin-dUTP-labeled probe, we were able to visualize two different repetitive sequences: telomere repeats and template of ALT (TALT) in C. elegans embryos and gonads.

It was previously reported that ALT survivor can emerge from telomerase-deficient mutant, trt-1(ok410), in low frequency by replicating internally localized &#39;Template of ALT&#39; (TALT) sequences for telomere maintenance2. Using PNA probe, we were able to visualize telomeres in the dissected gonads (Figure 2A). The faint telomere signal was detected both in trt-1(ok410) and ALT survivor. The fuzzy signal was overlapped only with DAPI, sugg...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Observation and Quantification of Telomere and Repetitive Sequences Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization FISH with PNA Probes in Caenorhabditis elegans at

Observation and Quantification of Telomere and Repetitive Sequences Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization FISH with PNA Probes in Caenorhabditis elegans

We report a concise procedure of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the gonad and embryos of Caenorhabditis elegans for observing and quantifying repetitive sequences. We successfully observed and quantified two different repetitive sequences, telomere repeats and template of alternative lengthening of telomeres (TALT).

Observation and Quantification of Telomere and Repetitive Sequences Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) with PNA Probes in Caenorhabditis elegans

Telomere is a ribonucleoprotein structure that protects chromosomal ends from aberrant fusion and degradation. Telomere length is maintained by telomerase ...

The overall goal of this fluorescence in situ hybridization technique is to concisely analyze telomere number and length in C.Elegans. This method can help answer key questions about tumor regenesis, alternative lengthening of telomeres, and cellular senescence. The main advantage of this technique is that the procedures are concise and the telomeres can be visualized and quantified in less than 24 hours.Collect the gravid adult worms with a little liquid media without debris in a 15 milliliter tube. Now wash the worms three times as follows. Add M9 buffer for a total volume of 15 milliliters.Then spin the tube down at 300 G for three minutes, and discard the solution above the pellet of worms. Then repeat the process. If after the centrifugation the worms are floating, then lighten the brake on the centrifuge.After the third wash, leave the worms with 5 milliliters of M9.Then add 6.5 milliliters of distilled water, two milliliters of hyperchlorite, and one milliliter of five molar potassium-hydroxide. Let the worms incubate in this bleaching solution for three minutes with 50 RPM of agitation. Then vortex the worms to shear them open and free their eggs.Under a dissection microscope, look for the released eggs. If they are not released yet, continue the incubation or up to eight minutes. If the worms are mostly dissolved and the eggs are free, fill the tube to 15 milliliters with M9 and wash the eggs three times just as the worms were washed before.To the washed eggs, with most of the M9 removed, fill the volume to 500 microliters with PBST, and then add 500 microliters of 4%PFA. Now load 40 microliter aliquots of eggs in 2%PFA to the wells of polylysine coated slides. Then transfer the slides to a humidified chamber and let them incubate for 15 minutes at room temperature.For this protocol, have an aluminum block on dry ice stored at 80 degrees Celsius. Also, have methanol and acetone stored at 20 degrees Celsius. After the fixation step is completed, remove most of the PFA solution from the slides, leaving about five microliters.Then place second polylysine coated slides over each sample slide so that the two coated surfaces stick together, trapping the tissues in the well. If there is excessive fixative, mop it up with a tissue. Now freeze the slides by placing them on the cold aluminum block for at least 15 minutes.Meanwhile, prepare methanol and acetone baths on ice for the slides. Once the slides are frozen, twist one to freeze crack the sample. Discard the upper slide and soak the bottom slide in ice cold methanol for five minutes.Do this for all the samples. Freeze cracking allows for penetration of probes and antibody through the hard eggshell. If the eggs are successfully freeze cracked, you could see the eggs on both slides.After at least five minutes in methanol, move the slides to cold acetone for five minutes. In another five minutes, soak the samples in PBST three times for five minutes per bath. After the PBST washes, the slides may be stored in 100%ethanol at four degrees celsius for several days.To proceed, add 20 microliters of RNase solution to the sample wells and incubate them in a humidified chamber at 37 degrees celsius for an hour. Next wash the slides in 2x SSCT twice for 15 minutes per wash. After the two washes, add 20 microliters of hybridization solution to the samples and incubate them at 37 degrees Celsius for an hour in a humidified chamber.Meanwhile, prepare the probe for a double stranded DNA probe. Denature it at 95 degrees Celsius for five minutes and then chill it on ice briefly. After an hour, aspirate the hybridization solution and add the probe solution.From this step forward, protect the sample from the light. After adding the probe, cover the samples with glass cover slips. Then make a humidified chamber on an 80 degrees Celsius heat block.When the heat block has stabilized back to 80 degrees Celsius, place the sample slides in the warmed chamber and let then denature for three minutes. Then incubate all the processed slides in a humidified chamber at 37 degrees Celsius overnight. After the overnight incubation, wash the samples in PBST at room temperature for five minutes.In preparation, warm the hybridization solution to 37 degrees Celsius one hour before wash. Then load the slides into a jar of hybridization wash solution and incubate them at 37 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. To remove the hybridization solution, wash the samples with PBST at room temperature for 15 minutes.Do this three times. After aspirating off the last PBST wash, add 20 microliters of blocking solution to each sample and incubate them in humidified chambers at room temperature for one hour in the dark. Then aspirate the blocking solution and replace it with FITC conjugated anti-digoxigenin antibody solution at one to 200.Cover the slides and incubate them at room temperature for three hours in the dark. After the antibody stain, wash the samples twice with PBST for 15 minutes per wash in the dark. Next aspirate the PBST and replace it with 10 microliters of mounting solution containing DAPI.Apply a cover glass and sop up any excess solution. Finally, seal the edges of the cover glass with nail polish and proceed with observing the samples under a fluorescent microscope. Using the PNA probe, the telomeres of animals surviving a telomere-sufficient mutation were observed.In the gonads, the number of telomeres per nucleus is quantifiable. The telomere signal co-localized with a TALT1 signal, supporting the notion that TALT1 is responsible for survivorship without telomeres. The intensity of telomere signal was compared using software.The signal was stronger in the ALT survivors than in the parental strains used to generate the telomeres-deficient mutants. Don't forget that working with paraformaldehyde and formamide can be extremely hazardous, and precautions, such as wearing gloves, should always be taken while performing this procedure.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) Protocol in Human Sperm

Aneuploidies are the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in humans. Most of these abnormalities result from meiotic errors during the gametogenic process in the parents. In human males, these errors can lead to the production of spermatozoa with numerical chromosome abnormalities which represent an increased risk of transmitting these anomalies to the offspring.
For this reason, the technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on sperm nuclei has become a protocol widely incorporated in the context of clinical diagnosis. This practice provides an estimate of the frequencies of numerical chromosome abnormalities in the gametes of the patients that seek for genetic reproductive advice.
To date, the chromosomes most frequently included in sperm FISH analysis are chromosomes X, Y, 13, 18 and 21.
This video-article describes, step by step, how to process and fix a human semen sample, how to decondense and denature the sperm chromatin, how to proceed to obtain sperm FISH preparations, and how to visualize the results at the microscope. Special remarks of the most relevant steps are given to achieve the best results.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization FISH Protocol in Human Sperm

This video-article describes, step by step, how to process a semen sample to achieve good-quality fluorescence in situ hybridization on human spermatozoa. Preparations obtained can be used for aneuploidy screening in the context of clinical diagnosis.

Aneuploidies are the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities in humans. Most of these abnormalities result from meiotic errors during the gametogenic ...

Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm

Males and hermaphrodites are the two naturally found sexual forms in the nematode C. elegans. The amoeboid sperm are produced by both males and hermaphrodites. In the earlier phase of gametogenesis, the germ cells of hermaphrodites differentiate into limited number of sperm - around 300 - and are stored in a small 'bag' called the spermatheca. Later on, hermaphrodites continually produce oocytes1. In contrast, males produce exclusively sperm throughout their adulthood. The males produce so much sperm that it accounts for &gt;50% of the total cells in a typical adult worm2. Therefore, isolating sperm from males is easier than from that of hermaphrodites.
Only a small proportion of males are naturally generated due to spontaneous non-disjunction of X chromosome3. Crossing hermaphrodites with males or more conveniently, the introduction of mutations to give rise to Him (High Incidence of Males) phenotype are some of strategies through which one can enrich the male population3.
Males can be easily distinguished from hermaphrodites by observing the tail morphology4. Hermaphrodite's tail is pointed, whereas male tail is rounded with mating structures.
Cutting the tail releases vast number of spermatids stored inside the male reproductive tract. Dissection is performed under a stereo microscope using 27 gauge needles. Since spermatids are not physically connected with any other cells, hydraulic pressure expels internal contents of male body, including spermatids2.
Males are directly dissected on a small drop of 'Sperm Medium'. Spermatids are sensitive to alteration in the pH. Hence, HEPES, a compound with good buffering capacity is used in sperm media. Glucose and other salts present in sperm media help maintain osmotic pressure to maintain the integrity of sperm.
Post-meiotic differentiation of spermatids into spermatozoa is termed spermiogenesis or sperm activation. Shakes5, and Nelson6 previously showed that round spermatids can be induced to differentiate into spermatozoa by adding various activating compounds including Pronase E. Here we demonstrate in vitro spermiogenesis of C. elegans spermatids using Pronase E.
Successful spermiogenesis is pre-requisite for fertility and hence the mutants defective in spermiogenesis are sterile. Hitherto several mutants have been shown to be defective specifically in spermiogenesis process7. Abnormality found during in vitro activation of novel Spe (Spermatogenesis defective) mutants would help us discover additional players participating in this event.

Isolation and In vitro Activation of Caenorhabditis elegans Sperm

A protocol for isolating and activating spermatids from male C. elegans is described here. Cutting the posterior end of male releases spermatids. The spermatids can be activated by addition of protease.

Males and hermaphrodites are the two naturally found sexual forms in the nematode C. elegans. The amoeboid sperm are produced by both males and ...

Time-lapse Microscopy of Early Embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans has often been used as a model system in studies of early developmental processes. The transparency of the 
embryos, the genetic resources, and the relative ease of transformation are qualities that make C. elegans an excellent model for early embryogenesis. Laser-based 
confocal microscopy and fluorescently labeled tags allow researchers to follow specific cellular structures and proteins in the developing embryo. For example, 
one can follow specific organelles, such as lysosomes or mitochondria, using fluorescently labeled dyes. These dyes can be delivered to the early embryo by means 
of microinjection into the adult gonad. Also, the localization of specific proteins can be followed using fluorescent protein tags. Examples are presented here 
demonstrating the use of a fluorescent lysosomal dye as well as fluorescently tagged histone and ubiquitin proteins. The labeled histone is used to visualize 
the DNA and thus identify the stage of the cell cycle. GFP-tagged ubiquitin reveals the dynamics of ubiquitinated vesicles in the early embryo. Observations 
of labeled lysosomes and GFP:: ubiquitin can be used to determine if there is colocalization between ubiquitinated vesicles and lysosomes. A technique for 
the microinjection of the lysosomal dye is presented. Techniques for generating transgenenic strains are presented elsewhere (1, 2). For imaging, embryos 
are cut out of adult hermaphrodite nematodes and mounted onto 2% agarose pads followed by time-lapse microscopy on a standard laser scanning confocal 
microscope or a spinning disk confocal microscope. This methodology provides for the high resolution visualization of early embryogenesis.

Time-lapse Microscopy of Early Embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans

This article describes a technique for the visualization of the early events of embryogenesis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans has often been used as a model system in studies of early developmental processes.  The transparency of the 
embryos, the genetic ...

Detection of Viral RNA by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH)

Viruses that infect cells elicit specific changes to normal cell functions which serve to divert energy and resources for viral replication. Many aspects of host cell function are commandeered by viruses, usually by the expression of viral gene products that recruit host cell proteins and machineries. Moreover, viruses engineer specific membrane organelles or tag on to mobile vesicles and motor proteins to target regions of the cell (during de novo infection, viruses co-opt molecular motor proteins to target the nucleus; later, during virus assembly, they will hijack cellular machineries that will help in the assembly of viruses). Less is understood on how viruses, in particular those with RNA genomes, coordinate the intracellular trafficking of both protein and RNA components and how they achieve assembly of infectious particles at specific loci in the cell. The study of RNA localization began in earlier work. Developing lower eukaryotic embryos and neuronal cells provided important biological information, and also underscored the importance of RNA localization in the programming of gene expression cascades. The study in other organisms and cell systems has yielded similar important information. Viruses are obligate parasites and must utilise their host cells to replicate. Thus, it is critical to understand how RNA viruses direct their RNA genomes from the nucleus, through the nuclear pore, through the cytoplasm and on to one of its final destinations, into progeny virus particles 1.
FISH serves as a useful tool to identify changes in steady-state localization of viral RNA. When combined with immunofluorescence (IF) analysis 22, FISH/IF co-analyses will provide information on the co-localization of proteins with the viral RNA3. This analysis therefore provides a good starting point to test for RNA-protein interactions by other biochemical or biophysical tests 4,5, since co-localization by itself is not enough evidence to be certain of an interaction. In studying viral RNA localization using a method like this, abundant information has been gained on both viral and cellular RNA trafficking events 6. For instance, HIV-1 produces RNA in the nucleus of infected cells but the RNA is only translated in the cytoplasm. When one key viral protein is missing (Rev) 7, FISH of the viral RNA has revealed that the block to viral replication is due to the retention of the HIV-1 genomic RNA in the nucleus 8. 
Here, we present the method for visual analysis of viral genomic RNA in situ. The method makes use of a labelled RNA probe. This probe is designed to be complementary to the viral genomic RNA. During the in vitro synthesis of the antisense RNA probe, the ribonucleotide that is modified with digoxigenin (DIG) is included in an in vitro transcription reaction. Once the probe has hybridized to the target mRNA in cells, subsequent antibody labelling steps (Figure 1) will reveal the localization of the mRNA as well as proteins of interest when performing FISH/IF.

Detection of Viral RNA by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization FISH

A fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method was developed to visually detect viral genomic RNA using fluorescence microscopy. A probe is made with specificity to the viral RNA that can then be identified using a combination of hybridization and immunofluorescence techniques. This technique offers the advantage of identifying the localization of the viral RNA or DNA at steady-state, providing information on the control of intracellular virus trafficking events.

Viruses  that infect cells elicit specific changes to normal cell functions which serve  to divert energy and resources for viral replication. Many ...

Basic Caenorhabditis elegans Methods: Synchronization and Observation

Research into the molecular and developmental biology of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was begun in the early seventies by Sydney Brenner and it has since been used extensively as a model organism 1. C. elegans possesses key attributes such as simplicity, transparency and short life cycle that have made it a suitable experimental system for fundamental biological studies for many years 2. Discoveries in this nematode have broad implications because many cellular and molecular processes that control animal development are evolutionary conserved 3.
C. elegans life cycle goes through an embryonic stage and four larval stages before animals reach adulthood. Development can take 2 to 4 days depending on the temperature. In each of the stages several characteristic traits can be observed. The knowledge of its complete cell lineage 4,5 together with the deep annotation of its genome turn this nematode into a great model in fields as diverse as the neurobiology 6, aging 7,8, stem cell biology 9 and germ line biology 10. 
An additional feature that makes C. elegans an attractive model to work with is the possibility of obtaining populations of worms synchronized at a specific stage through a relatively easy protocol. The ease of maintaining and propagating this nematode added to the possibility of synchronization provide a powerful tool to obtain large amounts of worms, which can be used for a wide variety of small or high-throughput experiments such as RNAi screens, microarrays, massive sequencing, immunoblot or in situ hybridization, among others. 
Because of its transparency, C. elegans structures can be distinguished under the microscope using Differential Interference Contrast microscopy, also known as Nomarski microscopy. The use of a fluorescent DNA binder, DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), for instance, can lead to the specific identification and localization of individual cells, as well as subcellular structures/defects associated to them.

Basic Caenorhabditis elegans Methods: Synchronization and Observation

The easiness of maintaining and propagating the nematode C. elegans make it a nice model organism to work with. The possibility of synchronizing worms allows the work with a significant amount of subjects at the same developmental stage, what facilitates the study of one particular process in many animals.

Research into the molecular and developmental biology of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was begun in the early seventies by Sydney Brenner and it has ...

Analysis of Single-cell Gene Transcription by RNA Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes (IE) to human endothelial receptors during malaria infections is mediated by expression of PfEMP1 protein variants encoded by the var genes.
The haploid P. falciparum genome harbors approximately 60 different var genes of which only one has been believed to be transcribed per cell at a time during the blood stage of the infection. How such mutually exclusive regulation of var gene transcription is achieved is unclear, as is the identification of individual var genes or sub-groups of var genes associated with different receptors and the consequence of differential binding on the clinical outcome of P. falciparum infections. Recently, the mutually exclusive transcription paradigm has been called into doubt by transcription assays based on individual P. falciparum transcript identification in single infected erythrocytic cells using RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of var gene transcription by the parasite in individual nuclei of P. falciparum IE1.
Here, we present a detailed protocol for carrying out the RNA-FISH methodology for analysis of var gene transcription in single-nuclei of P. falciparum infected human erythrocytes. The method is based on the use of digoxigenin- and biotin- labeled antisense RNA probes using the TSA Plus Fluorescence Palette System2 (Perkin Elmer), microscopic analyses and freshly selected P. falciparum IE. The in situ hybridization method can be used to monitor transcription and regulation of a variety of genes expressed during the different stages of the P. falciparum life cycle and is adaptable to other malaria parasite species and other organisms and cell types.

Analysis of Single-cell Gene Transcription by RNA Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization FISH

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to identify mRNA transcripts in individual cells allows analysis of polygenic activity such as the simultaneous transcription of more than one member of the var multigene family in Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes 1. The technique is adaptable and can be used on different types of genes, cells and organisms.

Adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes (IE) to human endothelial receptors during malaria infections is mediated by expression of PfEMP1 ...

Chromosome Replicating Timing Combined with Fluorescent In situ Hybridization

Mammalian DNA replication initiates at multiple sites along chromosomes at different times during S phase, following a temporal replication program. The specification of replication timing is thought to be a dynamic process regulated by tissue-specific and developmental cues that are responsive to epigenetic modifications. However, the mechanisms regulating where and when DNA replication initiates along chromosomes remains poorly understood. Homologous chromosomes usually replicate synchronously, however there are notable exceptions to this rule. For example, in female mammalian cells one of the two X chromosomes becomes late replicating through a process known as X inactivation1. Along with this delay in replication timing, estimated to be 2-3 hr, the majority of genes become transcriptionally silenced on one X chromosome. In addition, a discrete cis-acting locus, known as the X inactivation center, regulates this X inactivation process, including the induction of delayed replication timing on the entire inactive X chromosome. In addition, certain chromosome rearrangements found in cancer cells and in cells exposed to ionizing radiation display a significant delay in replication timing of &gt;3 hours that affects the entire chromosome2,3. Recent work from our lab indicates that disruption of discrete cis-acting autosomal loci result in an extremely late replicating phenotype that affects the entire chromosome4. Additional 'chromosome engineering' studies indicate that certain chromosome rearrangements affecting many different chromosomes result in this abnormal replication-timing phenotype, suggesting that all mammalian chromosomes contain discrete cis-acting loci that control proper replication timing of individual chromosomes5.
Here, we present a method for the quantitative analysis of chromosome replication timing combined with fluorescent in situ hybridization. This method allows for a direct comparison of replication timing between homologous chromosomes within the same cell, and was adapted from6. In addition, this method allows for the unambiguous identification of chromosomal rearrangements that correlate with changes in replication timing that affect the entire chromosome. This method has advantages over recently developed high throughput micro-array or sequencing protocols that cannot distinguish between homologous alleles present on rearranged and un-rearranged chromosomes. In addition, because the method described here evaluates single cells, it can detect changes in chromosome replication timing on chromosomal rearrangements that are present in only a fraction of the cells in a population.

Chromosome Replicating Timing Combined with Fluorescent In situ Hybridization

A quantitative method for the analysis of chromosome replication timing is described. The method utilizes BrdU incorporation in combination with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to assess replication timing of mammalian chromosomes. This technique allows for the direct comparison of rearranged and un-rearranged chromosomes within the same cell.

Mammalian DNA replication initiates at multiple sites along chromosomes at different times during S phase, following a temporal replication program. The ...

Visualization and Analysis of mRNA Molecules Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) method allows one to detect nucleic acids in the native cellular environment. Here we provide a protocol for using FISH to quantify the number of mRNAs in single yeast cells. Cells can be grown in any condition of interest and then fixed and made permeable. Subsequently, multiple single-stranded deoxyoligonucleotides conjugated to fluorescent dyes are used to label and visualize mRNAs. Diffraction-limited fluorescence from single mRNA molecules is quantified using a spot-detection algorithm to identify and count the number of mRNAs per cell. While the more standard quantification methods of northern blots, RT-PCR and gene expression microarrays provide information on average mRNAs in the bulk population, FISH facilitates both the counting and localization of these mRNAs in single cells at single-molecule resolution.

Visualization and Analysis of mRNA Molecules Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This protocol describes an experimental procedure for performing Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) for counting mRNAs in single cells at single-molecule resolution.

The Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) method allows one to detect nucleic acids in the native cellular environment. Here we provide a protocol for ...

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a powerful animal model to study the biology of lipids1-9. Prostaglandins are an important class of eicosanoids, which are lipid signals derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)10-14. These signalling molecules are difficult to study because of their low abundance and reactive nature. The characteristic feature of prostaglandins is a cyclopentane ring structure located within the fatty acid backbone. In mammals, prostaglandins can be formed through cyclooxygenase enzyme-dependent and -independent pathways10,15. C. elegans synthesizes a wide array of prostaglandins independent of cyclooxygenases6,16,17. A large class of F-series prostaglandins has been identified, but the study of eicosanoids is at an early stage with ample room for new discoveries. Here we describe a procedure for extracting and analyzing prostaglandins and other eicosanoids. Charged lipids are extracted from mass worm cultures using a liquid-liquid extraction technique and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The inclusion of deuterated analogs of prostaglandins, such as PGF2 &alpha;-d4 as an internal standard is recommended for quantitative analysis. Multiple reaction monitoring or MRM can be used to quantify and compare specific prostaglandin types between wild-type and mutant animals. Collision-induced decomposition or MS/MS can be used to obtain information on important structural features. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) survey scans of a selected mass range, such as m/z 315-360 can be used to evaluate global changes in prostaglandin levels. We provide examples of all three analyses. These methods will provide researchers with a toolset for discovering novel eicosanoids and delineating their metabolic pathways.

Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

In this paper, we describe an optimized procedure for extracting and analyzing prostaglandins and other eicosanoids from C. elegans using LC-MS/MS.

Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a powerful animal model to study the biology of lipids1-9. Prostaglandins are an important class of eicosanoids, ...

Flat Mount Preparation for Observation and Analysis of Zebrafish Embryo Specimens Stained by Whole Mount In situ Hybridization

The zebrafish embryo is now commonly used for basic and biomedical research to investigate the genetic control of developmental processes and to model congenital abnormalities. During the first day of life, the zebrafish embryo progresses through many developmental stages including fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, segmentation, and the organogenesis of structures such as the kidney, heart, and central nervous system. The anatomy of a young zebrafish embryo presents several challenges for the visualization and analysis of the tissues involved in many of these events because the embryo develops in association with a round yolk mass. Thus, for accurate analysis and imaging of experimental phenotypes in fixed embryonic specimens between the tailbud and 20 somite stage (10 and 19 hours post fertilization (hpf), respectively), such as those stained using whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH), it is often desirable to remove the embryo from the yolk ball and to position it flat on a glass slide. However, performing a flat mount procedure can be tedious. Therefore, successful and efficient flat mount preparation is greatly facilitated through the visual demonstration of the dissection technique, and also helped by using reagents that assist in optimal tissue handling. Here, we provide our WISH protocol for one or two-color detection of gene expression in the zebrafish embryo, and demonstrate how the flat mounting procedure can be performed on this example of a stained fixed specimen. This flat mounting protocol is broadly applicable to the study of many embryonic structures that emerge during early zebrafish development, and can be implemented in conjunction with other staining methods performed on fixed embryo samples.

Flat Mount Preparation for Observation and Analysis of Zebrafish Embryo Specimens Stained by Whole Mount In situ Hybridization

The zebrafish embryo is an excellent model for developmental biology research. During embryogenesis, zebrafish develop with a yolk mass, which presents three-dimensional challenges for sample observation and analysis. This protocol describes how to create two-dimensional flat mount preparations of whole mount in situ (WISH) stained zebrafish embryo specimens.

The zebrafish embryo is now commonly used for basic and biomedical research to investigate the genetic control of developmental processes and to model ...