Name: HeLa Cell Fixation with Hoechst 33342 and Blocking
Uploaded: 2023-05-05T14:55:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about HeLa Cell Fixation with Hoechst 33342 and Blocking at JoVE.com

The video outlines a protocol for fixing HeLa cells in a 384-well plate. It involves rinsing the cells with PBS, adding formaldehyde for fixation, followed by additional rinses and the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) for blocking, with specific incubation times in the dark at room temperature.

hela cell fixation with hoechst 33342 and blocking

Quantificazione ad alto rendimento della sintesi e della distribuzione del mtDNA

For most eukaryotic cells mitochondria are essential organelles, as they play a crucial role in numerous cellular processes. First and foremost, mitochondria are the key energy suppliers of cells1. Mitochondria are also involved in regulating cellular homeostasis (for instance, intracellular redox2 and the calcium balance3), cell signaling4,5, apoptosis6, the synthesis of different biochemical compounds7,8, and the innate immune response9. Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with various pathological states and human diseases10. 
The functioning of mitochondria depends on the genetic information located in two separate genomes: the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The mitochondrial genome encodes a small number of genes compared to the nuclear genome, but all the mtDNA-encoded genes are essential for human life. The mitochondrial protein machinery necessary to maintain the mtDNA is encoded by nDNA. The basic components of the mitochondrial replisome, as well as some mitochondrial biogenesis factors, have already been identified (reviewed in previous research11,12). However, mitochondrial DNA replication and maintenance mechanisms are still far from being understood. In contrast to nDNA, the mitochondrial genome exists in multiple copies, which provides an additional layer for regulating mitochondrial gene expression. Much less is currently known about the distribution and segregation of mtDNA within organelles, to what extent these processes are regulated, and if they are, which proteins are involved13. The segregation pattern is crucial when cells contain a mixed population of wild-type and mutated mtDNA. Their unequal distribution may lead to the generation of cells with a detrimental amount of mutated mtDNA.
So far, the protein factors necessary for mtDNA maintenance have been identified mainly by biochemical methods, bioinformatic analyses, or through disease-associated studies. In this work, in order to ensure a high chance of identifying factors that have previously escaped identification, a different strategy is described. The method is based on the labeling of mtDNA during replication or repair with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), a nucleoside analog of thymidine. BrdU is readily incorporated into nascent DNA strands during DNA synthesis and, in general, is used for monitoring the replication of nuclear DNA14. However, the procedure developed here has been optimized for detecting BrdU incorporated into mtDNA using the immunofluorescence of anti-BrdU antibodies.
The approach allows for the high-throughput quantification of mtDNA synthesis and distribution in human cells cultured in vitro. A high-throughput strategy is necessary to conduct tests under different experimental conditions in a relatively short time; therefore, it is proposed in the protocol to utilize a multi-well format for cell culturing and automated fluorescence microscopy for imaging. The protocol includes the transfection of human HeLa cells with an siRNA library and the subsequent monitoring of mtDNA replication or repair using the metabolic labeling of newly synthesized DNA with BrdU. This approach is combined with immunostaining of the DNA with the help of anti-DNA antibodies. Both parameters are analyzed using quantitative fluorescence microscopy. Additionally, mitochondria are visualized with a specific dye. To demonstrate the specificity of the protocol, BrdU staining was tested on cells devoid of mtDNA (rho0 cells), on HeLa cells upon the silencing of well-known mtDNA maintenance factors, and on HeLa cells after treatment with an mtDNA replication inhibitor. The mtDNA levels were also measured by an independent method, namely qPCR.

Autore in primo piano: Quantificazione basata su immagini ad alto rendimento della sintesi e della distribuzione del DNA mitocondriale  

Quantificazione basata su immagini ad alto rendimento della sintesi e della distribuzione del DNA mitocondriale

The protocol aims to identify proteins with dysfunction leads to changes in the number of mitochondrial DNA molecules. This research may also reveal the factors involving the distribution of mitochondrial DNA within the mitochondria. Mitochondrial replication and maintenance mechanisms are still not fully understood.Much less is known about regulating the distribution of mitochondrial genomes within organoids and the proteins involved in it. As a result, identifying and characterizing some new players will be of great importance. The main advantage of the technique is its high-throughput and high content protocol.We can simultaneously test many experimental conditions and measure various parameters during a single experiment. In genome-wide studies, the proposed protocol provides an opportunity to outline a global picture of how nuclear encoded genetic information regulates its mitochondrial counterpart. Additionally, it has the potential to identify proteins whose dysfunction causes mitochondrial DNA stress and activates the interferon response pathway.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about HeLa Cell Fixation with Hoechst 33342 and Blocking at JoVE.com

HeLa Cell Fixation with Hoechst 33342 and Blocking  

Fissazione delle cellule HeLa con Hoechst 33342 e blocco

Per iniziare la fissazione della cella HeLa, sciacquare la piastra contenente 384 pozzetti contenente celle HeLa due volte con 100 microlitri di PBS utilizzando la rondella a micropiastre. Lasciare 25 microlitri di PBS nel pozzetto dopo il secondo lavaggio e aggiungere 25 microlitri di una soluzione di formaldeide all'8%. Incubare la piastra al buio a temperatura ambiente per 30 minuti.Quindi, sciacquare ogni pozzetto quattro volte con 100 microlitri di PBS e lasciare 25 microlitri di PBS nel pozzetto dopo l'ultimo lavaggio. Aggiungere 25 microlitri di albumina sierica bovina al 6%, o BSA, in PBS a ciascun pozzetto e incubare la piastra al buio per 30 minuti.

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

HeLa Cell Fixation with Hoechst 33342 and Blocking

High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution

The vast majority of cellular processes require a continuous supply of energy, the most common carrier of which is the ATP molecule. Eukaryotic cells ...

Ricerca

Biochimica

Preparation of siRNA Mixture for Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis

Preparazione della miscela di siRNA per la sintesi del DNA mitocondriale

Cell Transfection and 5-Bromo-2&#39;-Deoxyuridine (BrdU) Incorporation in HeLa Cells

Cell Transfection and 5-Bromo-2'-Deoxyuridine (BrdU) Incorporation in HeLa Cells  

Trasfezione cellulare e incorporazione di 5-Bromo-2&#39;-deossiuridina (BrdU) nelle cellule HeLa

5-Bromo-2&#39;-Deoxyuridine (BrdU) Labeling of Mitochondrial DNA in HeLa Cells

5-Bromo-2'-Deoxyuridine (BrdU) Labeling of Mitochondrial DNA in HeLa Cells  

5-Bromo-2&#39;-deossiuridina (BrdU) marcatura del DNA mitocondriale nelle cellule HeLa

Addition of Primary and Secondary Antibodies to the Transfected HeLa Cells to Monitor the mtDNA Distribution

Aggiunta di anticorpi primari e secondari alle cellule HeLa trasfettate per monitorare la distribuzione del mtDNA

Quantitative Image Analysis to Measure the mtDNA and Gene Expression Levels in the Transfected HeLa Cells

Analisi quantitativa delle immagini per misurare il mtDNA e i livelli di espressione genica nelle cellule HeLa trasfettate