Work was supported by grant no. 01GU0615 of the "Bundesministerium f&uuml;r Forschung und Technologie (BMBF).

1) Bacterial Delivery of shRNAs
<ol>
<li> Before starting with the bacterial culture, one has to prepare LB-medium and LB-agar. </li>
<li> For the LB-medium weigh out yeast extract (0.5 % w/v), bacto tryptone (1.0 % w/v), and NaCl (0.6 % w/v) and dilute these components in aqua bidest. The prepared solutions have to be sterilized in an autoclave and are then ready to use. </li>
<li> For LB-agar plates bacto agar (1.5 % w/v) has to be added to the LB-medium previous to sterilization. </li>
<li> Heat up LB-agar in the microwave until the LB-agar is completely dissolved. Let the solution cool down until the bottle can be touched easily without getting burned. Add kanamycin (100 mg/ml) for selection of positive clones in further steps. </li>
<li> Prepare LB-agar plates at a laminar flow bench (sterile conditions) by pipetting 20 ml of the LB-agar solution into 10-cm Petri-dishes. Let the plates cool down until the fluid has become solid. The plates are now ready to use and can be stored at 4 &deg;C . </li>
<li> ShRNA-encoding expression vectors are transformed into competent E. coli ceq221 by heat shock using the CaCl2 procedure.</li>
<li> Plate the transformed bacteria on LB-agar plates containing 100 &mu;g/ml kanamycin, close the lid, seal the plates with parafilm and cultivate upside down at 37 &deg;C over night.</li>
<li> Inoculate bacterial mini cultures with positive clones by picking grown colonies with a tooth pick. Transfer the tooth pick into 7.0 ml of fresh LB-medium containing 100 mg/ml kanamycin and cultivate at 37 &deg;C over night on a shaker at 200 rpm.</li>
<li> Inoculate 100 ml of fresh LB-medium containing 100 mg/ml kanamycin 1:100 with the over night mini culture in a 1 l Erlenmeyer flask, and incubate at 37 &deg;C over night on a shaker at 200 rpm.</li>
<li> Seed 25 x 104 (number of seeded cells depends on the speed of cell growth of the according cell line; confluency should be ~ 70-80 % 24 hours after seeding) human gastric carcinoma cells (EPG85-257RDB) per well in 6-well dishes and incubate these at 37 &deg;C, in a 
5 % CO2, water vapor saturated atmosphere over night. </li>
<li> Previous to cancer cell infection, over night cultures of tkRNAi vector-containing E. coli are measured in a photometer to determine the OD600. Dilute the bacterial solution until an optical density of 0.5 is reached (OD600 = 0.5 equals 1.6 x 108 bacterial cells/ml). </li>
<li> Replace the FCS-containing cell culture medium of the carcinoma cells against FCS-free medium 30 min previous to bacterial co-incubation. </li>
<li> Wash bacteria twice with 1 x PBS, and dilute in serum-free Leibovitz L-15 medium.</li>
<li> Add diluted bacteria to cancer cells at desired MOI (multiplicity of infection = number of bacterial cells per cancer cell) and co-incubate bacteria and cancer cells for 2 hours at 37 &deg;C.</li>
<li> After 2 hours of co-incubation cancer cells were washed twice with 1x x PBS and once with serum-containing Leibovitz L-15 medium supplemented with 100 u/ml penicillin, 100 &mu;g/ml streptomycin, 2.5 &mu;g/ml amphotericin, 150 &mu;g/ml gentamicin, and 100 &mu;g/ml kanamycin.</li>
<li> Continue cultivating the cancer cells at 37 &deg;C, in a 5 % CO2, water vapor saturated atmosphere.</li>
<li> The effects of the bacterial treatment can be visualized by fluorescent microscopy, measured by quantitative real-time RT PCR on mRNA level, and by western blot analysis on protein level, and shown with functional assays like FACS analysis, and cell proliferation assays. (if wanted, these procedures can be described in detail).</li>
</ol>

2) Representative Results
If the protocol is performed correctly, the results should be comparable to the ones shown below. 

Fluorescence microscopy
Figure 1 shows a human gastric carcinoma cell three hours after bacterial treatment (a) in comparison to an untreated cell (b). Around the nucleus of the treated cell, bacteria can be detected.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2099/2099fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> 
Figure 1: Fluorescent microscopy Human gastric carcinoma cell after bacterial treatment (1:500) and an untreated human gastric carcinoma cell as control, DAPI-staining, DAPI bandpass filter (&#923;em = 640 nm), 40x objective .

Quantitative real-time RT PCR
In figure 2 a down regulation of MDR1 mRNA of about 70 % (black beam) can be seen after treatment with the therapeutic bacteria. Parental cells serve as a positive control due to the lack of MDR1 overexpression. The cell line 257RDB p170 containing a plasmid expressing anti-MDR1 shRNAs s taken as direct comparison of the transkingdom RNAi technology to other RNAi silencing strategies. The untreated resistant cell line EPG85-257RDB overexpressing MDR1, the same cell line treated with bacteria lacking the shRNA expressing plasmid, and this cell line treated with therapeutic bacteria carrying a plasmid expressing anti-MRP2 shRNAs were taken as positive controls.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2099/2099fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> 
Figure 2: Quantitative real-time RT PCR MDR1 mRNA expression after treatment with therapeutic E. coli ceq221 expressing anti-MDR1 shRNAs (MOI 1 : 500). Normalization was performed using the housekeeping gene aldolase. The MDR1/aldolase ratio of untreated cells of the cell line EPG85-257RDB were set 100 %. P-values were calculated using the student's t-test (* = p&lt;0.05, ** = p&lt;0.005, *** = p&lt;0.001).
Western blot analysis
Figure 3 reveals that the MDR1 down regulation also took place on protein level after bacterial treatment. It shows the lacking MDR1 expression of the drug sensitive parental cell line (EPG85-257P), the MDR1 expression of the untreated drug resistant cell line (EPG85-257RDB) and the MDR1 expression of the treated sample. A clear down regulation of MDR1 of the bacterially treated cells can be observed. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/2099/2099fig3.jpg" alt="Figure 3" />
Figure 3: Western blot analysis. MDR1 expression levels of the untreated drug-sensitive EPG85-257P, the untreated drug-resistant EPG-257RDB, and of EPG85-257RDB after co-incubation with E. coli ceq221 + p43 MDR1. Primary Ab C219 1:100, and anti-actin 1:5 000, secondary Ab anti-mouse 1:10 000.
Cytotoxicity assay
Functional analysis like the cytotoxicity assay shown in figure 4 are also indicators for the functioning of the transkingdom RNAi. The parental cell line and the cell line containing an anit-MDR1 shRNA expressing plasmid do not show any resistance to daunorubicin. The resistant cell line EPG85-257RDB and two further controls do not show significant changes in resistance in comparison to the sample treated with anti-MDR1 shRNA expressing bacteria where the resistance to Daunorubicin could be reversed by about 90 %.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2099/2099fig4.jpg" alt="Figure 4" /> 
Figure 4: Cytotoxicity assay. Drug-specific IC50-values determined by a cytotoxicity assay for cell survival. P-values were calculated using the student's t-test (* = p&lt;0.05, ** = p&lt;0.005, *** = p&lt;0.001).

Anthracycline accumulation assay
According to the lowered resistance of bacterially treated samples (figure 4), the anthracycline accumulation of anti-MDR1 shRNA treated cells is increased by about 90 % as shown in figure 5. The parental cell line and the cell line 257RDB p170 show a strong daunorubicin accumulation up to 100 %. The resistant variant shows rarely any accumulation. Cells treated with anti-MDR1 shRNA expressing bacteria show an anthracyline accumulation increase of 90 %.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2099/2099fig5.jpg" alt="Figure 5" /> 
Figure 5: Anthracycline accumulation assay. Anthracycline accumulation of carcinoma cells 6 days after bacterial treatment measured by flow cytometry. P-values were calculated using the student's t-test (* = p&lt;0.05, ** = p&lt;0.005, *** = p&lt;0.001).

<ol>
	<li>Kr&#252;hn, A., Wang, A., Fruehauf, J. H., Lage, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Delivery+of+short+hairpin+RNAs+by+transkingdom+RNA+interference+modulates+the+classical+ABCB1-mediated+multidrug-resistant+phenotype+of+cancer+cells.">Delivery of short hairpin RNAs by transkingdom RNA interference modulates the classical ABCB1-mediated multidrug-resistant phenotype of cancer cells.</a> Cell Cycle. 8, 3349-3354 (2009).</li><li>Lage, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MDR1/P-glycoprotein+(ABCB1)+as+target+for+RNA+interference-mediated+reversal+of+multidrug+resistance.">MDR1/P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) as target for RNA interference-mediated reversal of multidrug resistance.</a> Curr. Drug Targets. 7, 813-821 (2006).</li><li>Lage, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+overview+of+cancer+multidrug+resistance:+a+still+unsolved+problem.">An overview of cancer multidrug resistance: a still unsolved problem.</a> Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 65, 3145-3167 (2008).</li><li>Lage, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+potential+of+RNA+interference+in+drug-resistant+cancers.">Therapeutic potential of RNA interference in drug-resistant cancers.</a> Fut. Oncol. 5, 169-185 (2009).</li><li>Nguyen, T. A., Fruehauf, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transkingdom+RNA+interference+(tkRNAi):+a+novel+method+to+induce+therapeutic+gene+silencing.">Transkingdom RNA interference (tkRNAi): a novel method to induce therapeutic gene silencing.</a> Methods Mol. Biol. 514, 27-34 (2009).</li><li>Nieth, C., Priebsch, A., Stege, A., Lage, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+the+classical+multidrug+resistance+(MDR)+phenotype+by+RNA+interference+(RNAi.">Modulation of the classical multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype by RNA interference (RNAi.</a> FEBS Lett. 545, 144-150 (2003).</li><li>Stege, A., Priebsch, A., Nieth, C., Lage, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stable+and+complete+overcoming+of+MDR1/P-glycoprotein-mediated+multidrug+resistance+in+human+gastric+carcinoma+cells+by+RNA+interference.">Stable and complete overcoming of MDR1/P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance in human gastric carcinoma cells by RNA interference.</a> Cancer Gene Ther. 11, 699-706 (2004).</li><li>Stein, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complete+in+vivo+reversal+of+the+multidrug+resistance+(MDR)+phenotype+by+jet-injection+of+anti-MDR1+short+hairpin+RNA-encoding+plasmid+DNA.">Complete in vivo reversal of the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype by jet-injection of anti-MDR1 short hairpin RNA-encoding plasmid DNA.</a> Mol. Ther. 16, 178-186 (2008).</li><li>Xiang, S., Fruehauf, J., Li, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Short+hairpin+RNA-expressing+bacteria+elicit+RNA+interference+in+mammals.">Short hairpin RNA-expressing bacteria elicit RNA interference in mammals.</a> Nat. Biotechnol. 24, 697-702 (2006).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

The cell number seeded for infection and the corresponding MOI used, critically depend on the cell lines under observation and their speed of growth. To find optimal cell numbers for seeding, pre-experiments to determine the speed of growth are strongly recommended. Besides this, different MOIs should be tested due to the limited extend to which the cells can stand the bacterial invasion without dying of stress. The optimal point of time where the down regulation of the gene under observation may vary. It is recommended ...

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<td>Agar</td>
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<td>E. coli ceq221</td>
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<td>Cequent Pharmaceuticals Inc.</td>
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bacterial delivery of rnai effectors: transkingdom rnai

RNA interference (RNAi) represents a high effective mechanism for specific inhibition of mRNA expression. Besides its potential as a powerful laboratory tool, the RNAi pathway appears to be promising for therapeutic utilization. For development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapies, delivery of RNAi-mediating agents to target cells is one of the major obstacles. A novel strategy to overcome this hurdle is transkingdom RNAi (tkRNAi). This technology uses non-pathogenic bacteria, e.g. Escherichia coli, to produce and deliver therapeutic short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into target cells to induce RNAi. A first-generation tkRNAi-mediating vector, TRIP, contains the bacteriophage T7 promoter for expression regulation of a therapeutic shRNA of interest. Furthermore, TRIP has the Inv locus from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis that encodes invasin, which permits natural noninvasive bacteria to enter &beta;1-integrin-positive mammalian cells and the HlyA gene from Listeria monocytogenes, which produces listeriolysin O. This enzyme allows the therapeutic shRNA to escape from entry vesicles within the cytoplasm of the target cell. TRIP constructs are introduced into a competent non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strain, which encodes T7 RNA polymerase necessary for the T7 promoter-driven synthesis of shRNAs. A well-characterized cancer-associated target molecule for different RNAi strategies is ABCB1 (MDR1/P-glycoprotein, MDR1/P-gp). This ABC-transporter acts as a drug extrusion pump and mediates the "classical" ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype of human cancer cells which is characterized by a specific cross resistance pattern. Different ABCB1-expressing MDR cancer cells were treated with anti-ABCB1 shRNA expression vector bearing E. coli. This procedure resulted in activation of the RNAi pathways within the cancer cells and a considerable down regulation of the ABCB1 encoding mRNA as well as the corresponding drug extrusion pump. Accordingly, drug accumulation was enhanced in the pristine drug-resistant cancer cells and the MDR phenotype was reversed. By means of this model the data provide the proof-of-concept that tkRNAi is suitable for modulation of cancer-associated factors, e.g. ABCB1, in human cancer cells.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Bacterial Delivery of RNAi Effectors: Transkingdom RNAi at JoVE.com

Bacterial Delivery of RNAi Effectors: Transkingdom RNAi

For development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapies, a novel strategy was developed, transkingdom RNAi (tkRNAi). This technology uses non-pathogenic bacteria to produce and deliver therapeutic short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into target cells. Here, tkRNAi was successfully applied for reversal of classical ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells.

RNA interference (RNAi) represents a high effective mechanism for specific inhibition of mRNA expression. Besides its potential as a powerful laboratory ...

bacterial-delivery-of-rnai-effectors-transkingdom-rnai

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13.4K Views.  Charité Campus Mitte. For development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapies, a novel strategy was developed, transkingdom RNAi (tkRNAi). This technology uses non-pathogenic bacteria to produce and deliver therapeutic short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into target cells. Here, tkRNAi was successfully applied for reversal of classical ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells.

Video: Bacterial Delivery of RNAi Effectors: Transkingdom RNAi

Protocol for RNAi Assays in Adult Mosquitoes (A. gambiae)

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining  which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes.  This video protocol illustrates a method used by the Dimopoulos lab to inject dsRNA into Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which harbor the malaria parasite.  The technique manipulating the injection setup and injecting dsRNA into the thorax is illustrated.

Protocol for RNAi Assays in Adult Mosquitoes A. gambiae

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes. This video protocol illustrates a method used by the Dimopoulos lab to inject dsRNA into Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which harbor the malaria parasite. The technique manipulating the injection setup and injecting dsRNA into the thorax is illustrated.

Reverse genetic approaches have proven extremely useful for determining  which genes underly resistance to vector pathogens in mosquitoes.  This video ...

Localized RNAi and Ectopic Gene Expression in the Medicinal Leech

In this video, we show the use of a pneumatic capillary gun for the accurate biolistic delivery of reagents into live tissue. We use the procedure to perturb gene expression patterns in selected segments of leech embryos, leaving the untreated segments as internal controls.
The pneumatic capillary gun can be used to reach internal layers of cells at early stages of development without opening the specimen. As a method for localized introduction of substances into living tissues, the biolistic delivery with the gun has several advantages: it is fast, contact-free and non-destructive. In addition, a single capillary gun can be used for independent delivery of different substances. The delivery region can have lateral dimensions of ~50-150 &#181;m and extends over ~15 &#181;m around the mean penetration depth, which is adjustable between 0 and 50 &#181;m. This delivery has the advantage of being able to target a limited number of cells in a selected location intermediate between single cell knock down by microinjection and systemic knockdown through extracellular injections or by means of genetic approaches.
For knocking down or knocking in the expression of the axon guidance molecule Netrin, which is naturally expressed by some central neurons and in the ventral body wall, but not the dorsal domain, we deliver molecules of dsRNA or plasmid-DNA into the body wall and central ganglia. This procedure includes the following steps: (i) preparation of the experimental setup for a specific assay (adjusting the accelerating pressure), (ii) coating the particles with molecules of dsRNA or DNA, (iii) loading the coated particles into the gun, up to two reagents in one assay, (iv) preparing the animals for the particle delivery, (v) delivery of coated particles into the target tissue (body wall or ganglia), and (vi) processing the embryos (immunostaining, immunohistochemistry and neuronal labeling) to visualize the results, usually 2 to 3 days after the delivery.
When the particles were coated with netrin dsRNA, they caused clearly visible knock-down of netrin expression that only occurred in cells containing particles (usually, 1-2 particles per cell). Particles coated with a plasmid encoding EGFP induced fluorescence in neuronal cells when they stopped in their nuclei.

In this video, we show a procedure for an accurate biolistic delivery of reagents into live tissue with a novel miniature gene gun. We are knocking down the expression of the axon guidance molecule Netrin in leech embryos by delivering molecules of dsRNA into the ventral body wall and ganglia of single segments.

In this video, we show the use of a pneumatic capillary gun for the accurate biolistic delivery of reagents into live tissue. We use the procedure to ...

Identification of Growth Inhibition Phenotypes Induced by Expression of Bacterial Type III Effectors in Yeast

Many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria use a type III secretion system to translocate a suite of effector proteins into the cytosol of host cells. Within the cell, type III effectors subvert host cellular processes to suppress immune responses and promote pathogen growth. Numerous type III effectors of plant and animal bacterial pathogens have been identified to date, yet only a few of them are well characterized. Understanding the functions of these effectors has been undermined by a combination of functional redundancy in the effector repertoire of a given bacterial strain, the subtle effects that they may exert to increase virulence, roles that are possibly specific to certain infection stages, and difficulties in genetically manipulating certain pathogens. Expression of type III effectors in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae may allow circumventing these limitations and aid to the functional characterization of effector proteins. Because type III effectors often target cellular processes that are conserved between yeast and other eukaryotes, their expression in yeast may result in growth inhibition phenotypes that can be exploited to elucidate effector functions and targets. Additional advantages to using yeast for functional studies of bacterial effectors include their genetic tractability, information on predicted functions of the vast majority of their ORFs, and availability of numerous tools and resources for both genome-wide and small-scale experiments. Here we discuss critical factors for designing a yeast system for the expression of bacterial type III effector proteins. These include an appropriate promoter for driving expression of the effector gene(s) of interest, the copy number of the effector gene, the epitope tag used to verify protein expression, and the yeast strain. We present procedures to induce expression of effectors in yeast and to verify their expression by immunoblotting. In addition, we describe a spotting assay on agar plates for the identification of effector-induced growth inhibition phenotypes. The use of this protocol may be extended to the study of pathogenicity factors delivered into the host cell by any pathogen and translocation mechanism.

In this video, we describe a procedure for the expression of bacterial type III effectors in yeast and the identification of effector-induced growth inhibition phenotypes. Such phenotypes can be subsequently exploited to elucidate effector functions and targets.

Many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria use a type III secretion system to translocate a suite of effector proteins into the cytosol of host cells. Within ...

MISSION esiRNA for RNAi Screening in Mammalian Cells

RNA interference (RNAi) is a basic cellular mechanism for the control of gene expression. RNAi is induced by short double-stranded RNAs also known as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The short double-stranded RNAs originate from longer double stranded precursors by the activity of Dicer, a protein of the RNase III family of endonucleases. The resulting fragments are components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), directing it to the cognate target mRNA. RISC cleaves the target mRNA thereby reducing the expression of the encoded protein1,2,3. RNAi has become a powerful and widely used experimental method for loss of gene function studies in mammalian cells utilizing small interfering RNAs.
Currently two main methods are available for the production of small interfering RNAs. One method involves chemical synthesis, whereas an alternative method employs endonucleolytic cleavage of target specific long double-stranded RNAs by RNase III in vitro. Thereby, a diverse pool of siRNA-like oligonucleotides is produced which is also known as endoribonuclease-prepared siRNA or esiRNA. A comparison of efficacy of chemically derived siRNAs and esiRNAs shows that both triggers are potent in target-gene silencing. Differences can, however, be seen when comparing specificity. Many single chemically synthesized siRNAs produce prominent off-target effects, whereas the complex mixture inherent in esiRNAs leads to a more specific knockdown10.
In this study, we present the design of genome-scale MISSION esiRNA libraries and its utilization for RNAi screening exemplified by a DNA-content screen for the identification of genes involved in cell cycle progression. We show how to optimize the transfection protocol and the assay for screening in high throughput. We also demonstrate how large data-sets can be evaluated statistically and present methods to validate primary hits. Finally, we give potential starting points for further functional characterizations of validated hits.

Here we use a human esiRNA library in a high-throughput screen for genes involved in cell division. We demonstrate how to set up and conduct an esiRNA screens, as well as how to analyze and validate the results.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a basic cellular mechanism for the control of gene expression. RNAi is induced by short double-stranded RNAs also known as ...

RNAi Interference by dsRNA Injection into Drosophila Embryos

Genetic screening is one of the most powerful methods available for gaining insights into complex biological process 1. Over the years many improvements and tools for genetic manipulation have become available in Drosophila 2. Soon after the initial discovery by Frie and Mello 3 that double stranded RNA can be used to knockdown the activity of individual genes in Caenorhabditis elegans, RNA interference (RNAi) was shown to provide a powerful reverse genetic approach to analyze gene functions in Drosophila organ development 4, 5.
Many organs, including lung, kidney, liver, and vascular system, are composed of branched tubular networks that transport vital fluids or gases 6, 7. The analysis of Drosophila tracheal formation provides an excellent model system to study the morphogenesis of other tubular organs 8. The Berkeley Drosophila genome project has revealed hundreds of genes that are expressed in the tracheal system. To study the molecular and cellular mechanism of tube formation, the challenge is to understand the roles of these genes in tracheal development. Here, we described a detailed method of dsRNA injection into Drosophila embryo to knockdown individual gene expression. We successfully knocked down endogenous dysfusion(dys) gene expression by dsRNA injection. Dys is a bHLH-PAS protein expressed in tracheal fusion cells, and it is required for tracheal branch fusion 9, 10. dys-RNAi completely eliminated dys expression and resulted in tracheal fusion defect. This relatively simple method provides a tool to identify genes requried for tissure and organ development in Drosophila.

RNAi Interference by dsRNA Injection into Drosophila Embryos

RNA interference has been proven very effective to analyze gene function in Drosophila tracheal development. A detailed protocol used by Jiang lab to inject dsRNA into fly embryos to knockdown gene expression is illustrated. This technique has the potential for screening genes required for tissue and organ development in Drosophila.

Genetic screening is one of the most powerful methods available for gaining insights into complex biological process 1. Over the years many improvements ...

RNAi Mediated Gene Knockdown and Transgenesis by Microinjection in the Necromenic Nematode Pristionchus pacificus

Although it is increasingly affordable for emerging model organisms to obtain completely sequenced genomes, further in-depth gene function and expression analyses by RNA interference and stable transgenesis remain limited in many species due to the particular anatomy and molecular cellular biology of the organism. For example, outside of the crown group Caenorhabditis that includes Caenorhabditis elegans3, stably transmitted transgenic lines in non-Caenorhabditis species have not been reported in this specious phylum (Nematoda), with the exception of Strongyloides stercoralis4 and Pristionchus pacificus5. To facilitate the expanding role of P. pacificus in the study of development, evolution, and behavior6-7, we describe here the current methods to use microinjection for making transgenic animals and gene knock down by RNAi. Like the gonads of C. elegans and most other nematodes, the gonads of P. pacificus is syncitial and capable of incorporating DNA and RNA into the oocytes when delivered by direct microinjection. Unlike C. elegans however, stable transgene inheritance and somatic expression in P. pacificus requires the addition of self genomic DNA digested with endonucleases complementary to the ends of target transgenes and coinjection markers5. The addition of carrier genomic DNA is similar to the requirement for transgene expression in Strongyloides stercoralis4 and in the germ cells of C. elegans. However, it is not clear if the specific requirement for the animals' own genomic DNA is because P. pacificus soma is very efficient at silencing non-complex multi-copy genes or that extrachromosomal arrays in P. pacificus require genomic sequences for proper kinetochore assembly during mitosis. The ventral migration of the two-armed (didelphic) gonads in hermaphrodites further complicates the ability to inject both gonads in individual worms8. We also demonstrate the use of microinjection to knockdown a dominant mutant (roller,tu92) by injecting double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into the gonads to obtain non-rolling F1 progeny. Unlike C. elegans, but like most other nematodes, P. pacificus PS312 is not receptive to systemic RNAi via feeding and soaking and therefore dsRNA must be administered by microinjection into the syncitial gonads. In this current study, we hope to describe the microinjection process needed to transform a Ppa-egl-4 promoter::GFP fusion reporter and knockdown a dominant roller prl-1 (tu92) mutant in a visually informative protocol.

RNAi Mediated Gene Knockdown and Transgenesis by Microinjection in the Necromenic Nematode Pristionchus pacificus

In model organisms, transgenesis can manipulate gene functions while RNAi can knockdown specific mRNA transcripts 1-2. This protocol aims to illustrate the techniques needed to introduce stably transmitted DNA and transient double stranded RNA into the necromenic nematode Pristionchus pacificus for studies in evolutionary, developmental, and behavioral biology.

Although it is increasingly affordable for emerging model organisms to obtain completely sequenced genomes, further in-depth gene function and expression ...

RNAi Screening to Identify Postembryonic Phenotypes in C. elegans

C. elegans has proven to be a valuable model system for the discovery and functional characterization of many genes and gene pathways1. More sophisticated tools and resources for studies in this system are facilitating continued discovery of genes with more subtle phenotypes or roles. 
Here we present a generalized protocol we adapted for identifying C. elegans genes with postembryonic phenotypes of interest using RNAi2. This procedure is easily modified to assay the phenotype of choice, whether by light or fluorescence optics on a dissecting or compound microscope. This screening protocol capitalizes on the physical assets of the organism and molecular tools the C. elegans research community has produced. As an example, we demonstrate the use of an integrated transgene that expresses a fluorescent product in an RNAi screen to identify genes required for the normal localization of this product in late stage larvae and adults. First, we used a commercially available genomic RNAi library with full-length cDNA inserts. This library facilitates the rapid identification of multiple candidates by RNAi reduction of the candidate gene product. Second, we generated an integrated transgene that expresses our fluorecently tagged protein of interest in an RNAi-sensitive background. Third, by exposing hatched animals to RNAi, this screen permits identification of gene products that have a vital embryonic role that would otherwise mask a post-embryonic role in regulating the protein of interest. Lastly, this screen uses a compound microscope equipped for single cell resolution.

RNAi Screening to Identify Postembryonic Phenotypes in C. elegans

We describe a sensitized method to identify postembryonic regulators of protein expression and localization in C. elegans using an RNAi-based genomic screen and an integrated transgene that expresses a functional, fluorescently tagged protein.

C. elegans has proven to be a valuable model system for the discovery and functional characterization of many genes and gene pathways1. More sophisticated ...

Quantitative and Automated High-throughput Genome-wide RNAi Screens in C. elegans

RNA interference is a powerful method to understand gene function, especially when conducted at a whole-genome scale and in a quantitative context. In C. elegans, gene function can be knocked down simply and efficiently by feeding worms with bacteria expressing a dsRNA corresponding to a specific gene 1. While the creation of libraries of RNAi clones covering most of the C. elegans genome 2,3 opened the way for true functional genomic studies (see for example 4-7), most established methods are laborious. Moy and colleagues have developed semi-automated protocols that facilitate genome-wide screens 8. The approach relies on microscopic imaging and image analysis. 
	Here we describe an alternative protocol for a high-throughput genome-wide screen, based on robotic handling of bacterial RNAi clones, quantitative analysis using the COPAS Biosort (Union Biometrica (UBI)), and an integrated software: the MBioLIMS (Laboratory Information Management System from Modul-Bio) a technology that provides increased throughput for data management and sample tracking. The method allows screens to be conducted on solid medium plates. This is particularly important for some studies, such as those addressing host-pathogen interactions in C. elegans, since certain microbes do not efficiently infect worms in liquid culture.
	We show how the method can be used to quantify the importance of genes in anti-fungal innate immunity in C. elegans. In this case, the approach relies on the use of a transgenic strain carrying an epidermal infection-inducible fluorescent reporter gene, with GFP under the control of the promoter of the antimicrobial peptide gene nlp 29 and a red fluorescent reporter that is expressed constitutively in the epidermis. The latter provides an internal control for the functional integrity of the epidermis and nonspecific transgene silencing9. When control worms are infected by the fungus they fluoresce green. Knocking down by RNAi a gene required for nlp 29 expression results in diminished fluorescence after infection. Currently, this protocol allows more than 3,000 RNAi clones to be tested and analyzed per week, opening the possibility of screening the entire genome in less than 2 months.

Quantitative and Automated High-throughput Genome-wide RNAi Screens in C. elegans

We describe a protocol using C. elegans and RNAi feeding libraries that allows automated measurement of multiple parameters such as fluorescence, size and opacity of individual worms in a population. We give one example of a screen to identify genes involved in anti-fungal innate immunity in C. elegans.

RNA interference is a powerful method to understand gene function, especially when conducted at a whole-genome scale and in a quantitative context. In C. ...

RNAi-mediated Gene Knockdown and In Vivo Diuresis Assay in Adult Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

This video protocol demonstrates an effective technique to knockdown a particular gene in an insect and conduct a novel bioassay to measure excretion rate. This method can be used to obtain a better understanding of the process of diuresis in insects and is especially useful in the study of diuresis in blood-feeding arthropods that are able to take up huge amounts of liquid in a single blood meal. 
This RNAi-mediated gene knockdown combined with an in vivo diuresis assay was developed by the Hansen lab to study the effects of RNAi-mediated knockdown of aquaporin genes on Aedes aegypti mosquito diuresis1. 
The protocol is setup in two parts: the first demonstration illustrates how to construct a simple mosquito injection device and how to prepare and inject dsRNA into the thorax of mosquitoes for RNAi-mediated gene knockdown. The second demonstration illustrates how to determine excretion rates in mosquitoes using an in vivo bioassay.

RNAi-mediated Gene Knockdown and In Vivo Diuresis Assay in Adult Female Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

In this protocol we combine RNAi-mediated gene silencing with an in vivo diuresis assay to study the effects knockdown of genes of interest has on mosquito fluid excretion.

This video protocol demonstrates an effective technique to knockdown a particular gene in an insect and conduct a novel bioassay to measure excretion ...

Phosphopeptide Analysis of Rodent Epididymal Spermatozoa

Spermatozoa are quite unique amongst cell types. Although produced in the testis, both nuclear gene transcription and translation are switched off once the pre-cursor round cell begins to elongate and differentiate into what is morphologically recognized as a spermatozoon. However, the spermatozoon is very immature, having no ability for motility or egg recognition. Both of these events occur once the spermatozoa transit a secondary organ known as the epididymis. During the ~12 day passage that it takes for a sperm cell to pass through the epididymis, post-translational modifications of existing proteins play a pivotal role in the maturation of the cell. One major facet of such is protein phosphorylation. In order to characterize phosphorylation events taking place during sperm maturation, both pure sperm cell populations and pre-fractionation of phosphopeptides must be established. Using back flushing techniques, a method for the isolation of pure spermatozoa of high quality and yield from the distal or caudal epididymides is outlined. The steps for solubilization, digestion, and pre-fractionation of sperm phosphopeptides through TiO2 affinity chromatography are explained. Once isolated, phosphopeptides can be injected into MS to identify both protein phosphorylation events on specific amino acid residues and quantify the levels of phosphorylation taking place during the sperm maturation processes.

Proteomic analysis of any cell type is highly dependent on both purity and pre-fractionation of the starting material in order to de-complexify the sample prior to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (MS). By using back-flushing techniques, pure spermatozoa can be obtained from rodents. Following digestion, phosphopeptides can be enriched using TiO2.

Spermatozoa are quite unique amongst cell types. Although produced in the testis, both nuclear gene transcription and translation are switched off once ...