Name: paraffin-embedded and frozen sections of drosophila adult muscles
Uploaded: 2010-12-27T17:30:00
Duration: 7 min 28 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paraffin-Embedded and Frozen Sections of Drosophila Adult Muscles at JoVE.com

Agradecemos al Prof. Eichele de lo que nos permite utilizar la crio-microtomo. El trabajo fue financiado por el Max-Planck-gesselschaft.

1. Preparación <ol><li> Recién preparar el fijador de Carnoy mediante la combinación de etanol absoluto, cloroformo y ácido acético glacial en proporción 06:03:01 respectivamente. 3 Este, así como todas las soluciones para cuellos sumergiendo debe tenerse en cubetas de vidrio (véase la sección reactivos para la recomendación). </li><li> Preparar bolsas de papel de aluminio del tamaño adecuado para los collares. </li><li> Prepare las siguientes soluciones en frascos de tinción: 2 X 40% etanol, 70% de etanol, 2 X 100% de etanol, metilbenzoato (MB), 50/50 MB v / v, y la parafina, parafina X 2. Coloque el MB y contenedores de parafina en una incubadora a 60-65 º C. </li><li> Parafina caliente para verter en los bolsillos de papel a 60-65 º C. </li></ol> 2. Moscas en la fijación de collares <ol><li> Conecte el 4 de cuello bajo el binocular con cinta adhesiva en una posición vertical en la que se puede ver el punto de partida para la marcha. </li><li> Anestesiar a las moscas con el dióxido de carbono o por hipotermia con un bloque de hielo. Tenga cuidado de no congelar las moscas. </li><li> Con unas pinzas, recoja las moscas individuales por el acaparamiento de las alas y el lugar en el cuello orientado correctamente (cabeza y tórax en la parte superior de las hojas y el abdomen por debajo de las hojas). 10-20 vuela con facilidad, deben encajar en el cuello. </li></ol> Nota: Si usted está analizando varios genotipos, no se olvide de tomar nota del número de collar y el genotipo correspondiente. 3. Secciones de parafina de tórax Drosophila <ol><li> Vuelva a colocar el collar para la solución de Carnoy y reparar el tejido a 4 ° C durante la noche. </li><li> Después de la fijación, deshidratación de la muestra con concentraciones crecientes de etanol. Durante 10 minutos cada uno sumergir el cuello en un 40% (2 veces), 70% y 100% (2 veces) de etanol a temperatura ambiente. Collar incuban en una solución de próxima MB y MB de parafina + (1:1) durante 30 minutos en cada uno y luego se infiltran en el cuello en dos cambios de parafina durante 60 minutos cada uno a 60-65 ° C. Rápidamente la ubicación de la collar en el bolsillo de aluminio y rellenar con queso (60-65 ° C) parafina. Lugar a temperatura ambiente y permitir que la parafina se endurezcan (lo mejor es dejar toda la noche). Tenga en cuenta que el collar se puede colocar en la bolsa de papel de aluminio en diferentes orientaciones, en función de la orientación de las secciones que necesite (longitudinal o transversal). </li><li> Separar los bloques de parafina en seco con los collares de papel de aluminio y suavemente separar el cuello del bloque de parafina. Con la ayuda de un cuchillo afilado o un bisturí corte cuidadosamente la parafina extra de todo el tejido de volar. </li><li> Cortar el bloque de parafina con 7.10 micras medidas sección en un microtomo de rotación y permitir que el tejido cortado a flotar en el plano a 37 ° C baño de agua. Coloque el tejido seccionado en láminas polar y dejar secar durante la noche. Estas diapositivas se puede utilizar para la tinción con hematoxilina y eosina (Figura 1-D), azul de toluidina, azul de anilina o muere otra para visualizar estructuras de tejido, así como para la tinción de anticuerpos (Figura 1-E ``). </li></ol> 4. Cryosections de tórax Drosophila <ol><li> Al igual que con los cortes de parafina, preparar las moscas en un cuello y una bolsa de moda papel de aluminio. Un enfriador de congelación será necesario para preparar las muestras. Asegúrese de que el refrigerador es de alrededor de -60 ° C, use un poco de etanol y hielo seco para permitir llegar a esta temperatura. Una hora antes de comenzar el experimento puso la botella de medio crio-incrustación (Tissue-Tek compuesto OCT) al revés en un 4 ° C en nevera para que se enfríe y para minimizar la formación de burbujas de aire. </li><li> Vuelva a colocar el collar de moscas de la bolsa de papel de aluminio que ha sido pre-enfriado por varios minutos dentro del refrigerador de congelación rápida y rellenar con el compuesto de la crio-incrustación. Deje que la congelación de la muestra de 3-10 min. Separar cuidadosamente el bloque formado dentro de la nevera, con cuidado separar el cuello del bloque de inclusión y lo puso a -20 ° C durante al menos un día. </li><li> Cortar los músculos congelados en un crio-micrótomo entre -15 y -18 ° C con un espesor de corte de 10-15 micras. Lugar en láminas polarizadas y mantener a -20 ° C hasta que esté listo para hacer su posterior procesamiento. Sugerimos la fijación del tejido en formaldehído al 4% de solución de PBS por 10 min a temperatura ambiente antes de la tinción de anticuerpos. </li></ol> 5. Detección de los lípidos en los músculos de Drosophila Las gotas de lípidos se puede detectar con aceite rojo O mancha en cryosections utilizando un protocolo adoptado de Sieber y Thummel 5. <ol><li> Después de la fijación, lavar los portaobjetos con agua dos veces durante 5 minutos, equilibrada en propilenglicol durante 10 minutos y se incuba durante 3 horas en aceite rojo O tinción a temperatura ambiente. A continuación, lavar las muestras 2 veces por 5 min en propilenglicol y 30 minutos en PBS. Monte en el 30% de glicerol. </li></ol> 6. Los resultados representativos: <img src="/files/ftp_upload/2438/2438fig1.jpg" alt="Figura 1" /> Higola Figura 1. Parafina embebido en secciones Hematoxilina y eosina manchado transversal (AB) y longitudinal (CD) las secciones de los músculos de vuelo indirecto. A y C muestra normal de los músculos estructurado. Anormal de los músculos de tamaño y morfología están representados en B y D, respectivamente (flechas en negro). Sección transversal del tórax Drosophila teñida con anticuerpos anti-LAMC, marcador de membrana nuclear y la DAPI, tinción nuclear (EF). Vista ampliada de la normal (flecha roja) y el deterioro (flecha amarilla), los músculos (F). G representa la sección de teñido Drosophila tracto intestinal con LAMC y DAPI. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/2438/2438fig2.jpg" alt="Figura 2" /> Figura 2. Las secciones congeladas A. transversal congelada de las secciones teñidas tórax Drosophila con aceite rojo O, lípidos etiqueta gotas. B. Longitudinal secciones congeladas de los músculos de vuelo indirecto teñidas con anti-DG, el músculo sarcolema marcador y DAPI.

<ol>
	<li>Miller, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+internal+anatomy+and+histology+of+the+imago+of+Drosophila+melanogaster.">The internal anatomy and histology of the imago of Drosophila melanogaster.</a> , (1950).</li><li>Shcherbata, H. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dissecting+muscle+and+neuronal+disorders+in+a+Drosophila+model+of+muscular+dystrophy.">Dissecting muscle and neuronal disorders in a Drosophila model of muscular dystrophy.</a> The EMBO journal. 26, 481-481 (2007).</li><li>Kucherenko, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+modifier+screens+reveal+new+components+that+interact+with+the+Drosophila+dystroglycan-dystrophin+complex.">Genetic modifier screens reveal new components that interact with the Drosophila dystroglycan-dystrophin complex.</a> PloS one. 3, e2418-e2418 (2008).</li><li>Puchtler, H., Waldrop, F. S., Conner, H. M., Terry, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Carnoy+fixation:+practical+and+theoretical+considerations.">Carnoy fixation: practical and theoretical considerations.</a> Histochemie. 16, 361-36 (1968).</li><li>Ashburner, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Drosophila - A Laboratory Manual. , (1989).</li><li>Sieber, M. H., Thummel, C. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+DHR96+nuclear+receptor+controls+triacylglycerol+homeostasis+in+Drosophila.">The DHR96 nuclear receptor controls triacylglycerol homeostasis in Drosophila.</a> Cell metabolism. 10, 481-481 (2009).</li></ol>

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>Stainless steel collars</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>self-made</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Specially constructed</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools GmbH</td>
<td>11295-10</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Aluminum foil</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Any</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Blade or scalpel</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Any</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Wheaton macro staining jar</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Wheaton Science Products </td>
<td>900200</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Microtome</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Carl Zeiss</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Model: Hyrax M25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cryo-microtome</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Leica </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Model CM3050S</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>60-65&deg;C Incubator</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Any</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Large enough to hold at least 4 staining jars</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Freezing cooler with metal block</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Any</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Store at -80&deg;C</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Super-frost slides</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>9161155</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Cover slips</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Any </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Recommend 24 X 40 mm</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chloroform</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>288306</td>
<td>Analytical grade </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Glacial acetic acid</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Merck</td>
<td>100063</td>
<td>Analytical grade</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethanol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Merck</td>
<td>100983</td>
<td>Analytical grade</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Methylbenzoate</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>M29908-500G</td>
<td>Analytical grade</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paraplast plus</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>76258</td>
<td>Paraffin</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tissue-Teck O.C.T. compound</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sakura</td>
<td>4583</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>16% formaldehyde, methanol free</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Polysciences</td>
<td>18814</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Glycerol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
<td>G5150-1L</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

paraffin-embedded and frozen sections of drosophila adult muscles

La caracterización molecular de las distrofias musculares y miopatías en los seres humanos ha puesto de manifiesto la complejidad de la enfermedad del músculo y el análisis genético de la especificación de los músculos, la formación y funciones de los sistemas modelo ha proporcionado información valiosa sobre la fisiología del músculo. Por lo tanto, identificar y caracterizar los mecanismos moleculares que subyacen en el daño muscular es fundamental. La estructura de los adultos Drosophila multi-fibra de los músculos de los vertebrados se parecen a los músculos estriados 1 y la trazabilidad genética de la Drosophila ha hecho un gran sistema para analizar la morfología del músculo distrófico y caracterizar los procesos que afectan la función muscular en el adulto mayor moscas 2. Aquí se presenta la técnica histológica para la preparación de parafina y las secciones congeladas de los músculos torácicos Drosophila. Estas preparaciones permiten que el tejido se puede teñir con tinciones histológicas clásicas y etiquetados con tintes detectar proteínas, y en concreto cryosections son ideales para la detección inmunohistoquímica de las proteínas en los músculos intactos. Esto permite el análisis de la estructura del tejido muscular, la identificación de defectos morfológicos, y la detección del patrón de expresión de los músculos / las neuronas específicas de las proteínas en los músculos de los adultos de Drosophila. Estas técnicas también pueden ser ligeramente modificados para el corte de otras partes del cuerpo.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Paraffin-Embedded and Frozen Sections of Drosophila Adult Muscles at JoVE.com

Paraffin-Embedded and Frozen Sections of Drosophila Adult Muscles

Identificación de los mecanismos que subyacen a daño muscular es crucial. Aquí se presenta la técnica histológica para la preparación de parafina y las secciones congeladas de los músculos torácicos Drosophila. Esto permite el análisis de la morfología del músculo y la localización de las proteínas y otros componentes de la célula muscular.

Las secciones incluidas en parafina y congeladas de Drosophila Los músculos de Adultos

The molecular characterization of muscular dystrophies and myopathies in humans has revealed the complexity of muscle disease and genetic analysis of ...

paraffin-embedded-and-frozen-sections-of-drosophila-adult-muscles

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Paraffin-Embedded and Frozen Sections of Drosophila Adult Muscles

Whole Cell Recordings from Brain of Adult Drosophila

In this video, we demonstrate the procedure for isolating whole brains from adult Drosophila in preparation for recording from single neurons. We begin by describing the dissecting solution and capture of the adult females used in our studies. The procedure for removing the whole brain intact, including both optic lobes, is illustrated. Dissection of the overlying trachea is also shown.  The isolated brain is not only small but needs special care in handling at this stage to prevent damage to the neurons, many of which are close to the outer surface of the tissue. We show how a special holder we developed is used to stabilize the brain in the recording chamber. A standard electrophysiology set up is used for recording from single neurons or pairs of neurons. A fluorescent image, viewed through the recording microscope, from a GAL4 line driving GFP expression (GH146) illustrates how projection neurons (PNs) are identified in the live brain. A high power Nomarski image shows a view of a single neuron that is being targeted for whole cell recording. When the brain is successfully removed without damage, the majority of the neurons are spontaneously active, firing action potentials and/or exhibiting spontaneous synaptic input. This in situ preparation, in which whole cell recording of identified neurons in the whole brain can be combined with genetic and pharmacological manipulations, is a useful model for exploring cellular physiology and plasticity in the adult CNS.

This video demonstrates the procedure for isolating whole brains from adult Drosophila in preparation for recording from single neurons using standard whole cell technology. It includes images of GFP labeled cells and neurons viewed during recording.

Las grabaciones de células enteras del cerebro del adulto de Drosophila

In this video, we demonstrate the procedure for isolating whole brains from adult Drosophila in preparation for recording from single neurons. We begin by ...

Investigación

Biología

High-Resolution Video Tracking of Locomotion in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Flies provide an important model for studying complex behavior due to the plethora of genetic tools available to researchers in this field. Studying locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster relies on the ability to be able to quantify changes in motion during or in response to a given task. For this reason, a high-resolution video tracking system, such as the one we describe in this paper, is a valuable tool for measuring locomotion in real-time. Our protocol involves the use of an initial air pulse to break the flies momentum, followed by a thirty second filming period in a square chamber. A tracking program is then used to calculate the instantaneous speed of each fly within the chamber in 10 msec increments. Analysis software then compiles this data, and outputs a variety of parameters such as average speed, max speed, time spent in motion, acceleration, etc. This protocol will discuss proper feeding and management of flies for behavioral tasks, handling flies without anesthetization or immobilization, setting up a controlled environment, and running the assay from start to finish.

The study of complex locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster is dependent upon the ability to quantify changes in a given fly's movement. This article demonstrates how to do this using a high-resolution tracking system.

Vídeo de alta resolución de Seguimiento de la locomoción en adultos de Drosophila melanogaster

Flies provide an important model for studying complex behavior due to the plethora of genetic tools available to researchers in this field.  Studying ...

Preparation of Developing and Adult Drosophila Brains and Retinae for Live Imaging

The Drosophila brain and visual system are widely utilized model systems to study neuronal development, function and degeneration. Here we show three preparations of the brain and visual system that cover the range from the developing eye disc-brain complex in the developing pupae to individual eye and brain dissection from adult flies. All protocols are optimized for the live culture of the preparations. However, we also present the conditions for fixed tissue immunohistochemistry where applicable. Finally, we show live imaging conditions for these preparations using conventional and resonant 4D confocal live imaging in a perfusion chamber. Together, these protocols provide a basis for live imaging on different time scales ranging from functional intracellular assays on the scale of minutes to developmental or degenerative processes on the scale of many hours.

Preparation of Developing and Adult Drosophila Brains and Retinae for Live Imaging

This protocol describes three Drosophila preparations: 1) adult brain dissection, 2) adult retina dissection and 3) developing eye disc- brain complexes dissection. Emphasis is laid on special preparation techniques and conditions for live imaging, although all preparations can be used for fixed tissue immunohistochemistry.

Preparación de desarrollo y de adultos Drosophila Los cerebros y retinas de imágenes en vivo

The Drosophila brain and visual system are widely utilized model systems to study neuronal development, function and degeneration. Here we show three ...

Dissection of Oenocytes from Adult Drosophila melanogaster

In Drosophila melanogaster, as in other insects, a waxy layer on the outer surface of the cuticle, composed primarily of hydrocarbon compounds, provides protection against desiccation and other environmental challenges. Several of these cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) compounds also function as semiochemical signals, and as such mediate pheromonal communications between members of the same species, or in some instances between different species, and influence behavior. Specialized cells referred to as oenocytes are regarded as the primary site for CHC synthesis. However, relatively little is known regarding the involvement of the oenocytes in the regulation of the biosynthetic, transport, and deposition pathways contributing to CHC output. Given the significant role that CHCs play in several aspects of insect biology, including chemical communication, desiccation resistance, and immunity, it is important to gain a greater understanding of the molecular and genetic regulation of CHC production within these specialized cells. The adult oenocytes of D. melanogaster are located within the abdominal integument, and are metamerically arrayed in ribbon-like clusters radiating along the inner cuticular surface of each abdominal segment. In this video article we demonstrate a dissection technique used for the preparation of oenocytes from adult D. melanogaster. Specifically, we provide a detailed step-by-step demonstration of (1) how to fillet prepare an adult Drosophila abdomen, (2) how to identify the oenocytes and discern them from other tissues, and (3) how to remove intact oenocyte clusters from the abdominal integument. A brief experimental illustration of how this preparation can be used to examine the expression of genes involved in hydrocarbon synthesis is included. The dissected preparation demonstrated herein will allow for the detailed molecular and genetic analysis of oenocyte function in the adult fruit fly.

Dissection of Oenocytes from Adult Drosophila melanogaster

In insects, the oenocytes produce cuticular hydrocarbon compounds. These compounds protect against desiccation and facilitate chemical communication. Here we demonstrate a dissection technique used to isolate the oenocytes from adult Drosophila melanogaster, and illustrate how this preparation can be utilized to study genes involved in hydrocarbon synthesis.

La disección de Oenocytes de Adultos Drosophila melanogaster</em

In Drosophila melanogaster, as in other insects, a waxy layer on the outer surface of the cuticle, composed primarily of hydrocarbon compounds, provides ...

DNA Extraction from Paraffin Embedded Material for Genetic and Epigenetic Analyses

Disease development and progression are characterized by frequent genetic and epigenetic aberrations including chromosomal rearrangements, copy number gains and losses and DNA methylation. Advances in high-throughput, genome-wide profiling technologies, such as microarrays, have significantly improved our ability to identify and detect these specific alterations. However as technology continues to improve, a limiting factor remains sample quality and availability. Furthermore, follow-up clinical information and disease outcome are often collected years after the initial specimen collection. Specimens, typically formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE), are stored in hospital archives for years to decades. DNA can be efficiently and effectively recovered from paraffin-embedded specimens if the appropriate method of extraction is applied. High quality DNA extracted from properly preserved and stored specimens can support quantitative assays for comparisons of normal and diseased tissues and generation of genetic and epigenetic signatures 1. To extract DNA from paraffin-embedded samples, tissue cores or microdissected tissue are subjected to xylene treatment, which dissolves the paraffin from the tissue, and then rehydrated using a series of ethanol washes. Proteins and harmful enzymes such as nucleases are subsequently digested by proteinase K. The addition of lysis buffer, which contains denaturing agents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), facilitates digestion 2. Nucleic acids are purified from the tissue lysate using buffer-saturated phenol and high speed centrifugation which generates a biphasic solution. DNA and RNA remain in the upper aqueous phase, while proteins, lipids and polysaccharides are sequestered in the inter- and organic-phases respectively. Retention of the aqueous phase and repeated phenol extractions generates a clean sample. Following phenol extractions, RNase A is added to eliminate contaminating RNA. Additional phenol extractions following incubation with RNase A are used to remove any remaining enzyme. The addition of sodium acetate and isopropanol precipitates DNA, and high speed centrifugation is used to pellet the DNA and facilitate isopropanol removal. Excess salts carried over from precipitation can interfere with subsequent enzymatic assays, but can be removed from the DNA by washing with 70% ethanol, followed by centrifugation to re-pellet the DNA 3. DNA is re-suspended in distilled water or the buffer of choice, quantified and stored at -20&deg;C. Purified DNA can subsequently be used in downstream applications which include, but are not limited to, PCR, array comparative genomic hybridization 4 (array CGH), methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and sequencing, allowing for an integrative analysis of tissue/tumor samples.

This video demonstrates the protocol for DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. This is a multi-day procedure in which tissue sections are deparaffinized with xylene, rehydrated with ethanol and treated with proteinase K to purify and isolate DNA for subsequent gene-specific or genome-wide analysis.

Extracción de ADN a partir de material incluido en parafina para análisis genéticos y epigenéticos

Disease development and progression are characterized by frequent genetic and epigenetic aberrations including chromosomal rearrangements, copy number ...

Preparation of Adult Drosophila Eyes for Thin Sectioning and Microscopic Analysis

Drosophila has long been used as model system to study development, mainly due to the ease with which it is genetically tractable. Over the years, a plethora of mutant strains and technical tricks have been developed to allow sophisticated questions to be asked and answered in a reasonable amount of time. Fundamental insight into the interplay of components of all known major signaling pathways has been obtained in forward and reverse genetic Drosophila studies. The fly eye has proven to be exceptionally well suited for mutational analysis, since, under laboratory conditions, flies can survive without functional eyes. Furthermore, the surface of the insect eye is composed of some 800 individual unit eyes (facets or ommatidia) that form a regular, smooth surface when looked at under a dissecting microscope. Thus, it is easy to see whether a mutation might affect eye development or growth by externally looking for the loss of the smooth surface ('rough eye' phenotype; Fig. 1) or overall eye size, respectively (for examples of screens based on external eye morphology see e.g.1). Subsequent detailed analyses of eye phenotypes require fixation, plastic embedding and thin-sectioning of adult eyes.
The Drosophila eye develops from the so-called eye imaginal disc, a bag of epithelial cells that proliferate and differentiate during larval and pupal stages (for review see e.g. 2). Each ommatidium consists of 20 cells, including eight photoreceptors (PR or R-cells; Fig. 2), four lens-secreting cone cells, pigment cells ('hexagon' around R-cell cluster) and a bristle. The photoreceptors of each ommatidium, most easily identified by their light sensitive organelles, the rhabdomeres, are organized in a trapezoid made up of the six "outer" (R1-6) and two "inner" photoreceptors (R7/8; R8 [Fig. 2] is underneath R7 and thus only seen in sections from deeper areas of the eye). The trapezoid of each facet is precisely aligned with those of its neighbors and the overall anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes of the eye (Fig. 3A). In particular, the ommatidia of the dorsal and ventral (black and red arrows, respectively) halves of the eye are mirror images of each other and correspond to two chiral forms established during planar cell polarity signaling (for review see e.g. 3).
The method to generate semi-thin eye sections (such as those presented in Fig. 3) described here is slightly modified from the one originally described by Tomlinson and Ready4. It allows the morphological analysis of all cells except for the transparent cone cells. In addition, the pigment of R-cells (blue arrowheads in Fig. 2 and 3) can be used as a cell-autonomous marker for the genotype of a R-cell, thus genetic requirements of genes in a subset of R-cells can readily be determined5,6.

Preparation of Adult Drosophila Eyes for Thin Sectioning and Microscopic Analysis

A standard approach to prepare adult Drosophila eyes for semi-thin sectioning and light microscopic analysis is presented here. The protocol can be used for gross morphological analysis of eye defects, or with the indicated adjustments can be used to determine genetic requirements of genes in specific cell types of the eye (e.g. clonal analysis of photoreceptors) or for electron microscopic analysis.

Preparación de los adultos Drosophila Ojos de seccionamiento fino y análisis microscópico

Drosophila has long been used as model system to study development, mainly due to the ease with which it is genetically tractable. Over the years, a ...

Proteomic Sample Preparation from Formalin Fixed and Paraffin Embedded Tissue

Preserved clinical material is a unique source for proteomic investigation of human disorders. Here we describe an optimized protocol allowing large scale quantitative analysis of formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue. The procedure comprises four distinct steps. The first one is the preparation of sections from the FFPE material and microdissection of cells of interest. In the second step the isolated cells are lysed and processed using 'filter aided sample preparation' (FASP) technique. In this step, proteins are depleted from reagents used for the sample lysis and are digested in two-steps using endoproteinase LysC and trypsin. 
After each digestion, the peptides are collected in separate fractions and their content is determined using a highly sensitive fluorescence measurement. Finally, the peptides are fractionated on 'pipette-tip' microcolumns. The LysC-peptides are separated into 4 fractions whereas the tryptic peptides are separated into 2 fractions. In this way prepared samples allow analysis of proteomes from minute amounts of material to a depth of 10,000 proteins. Thus, the described workflow is a powerful technique for studying diseases in a system-wide-fashion as well as for identification of potential biomarkers and drug targets.

Archival formalin fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) clinical samples are valuable material for investigation of diseases. Here we demonstrate a sample preparation workflow allowing in-depth proteomic analysis of microdissected FFPE tissue.

Proteómica Preparación de muestras de formol fija y embebidos en parafina de tejidos

Preserved clinical material is a unique source for proteomic investigation of human disorders. Here we describe an optimized protocol allowing large scale ...

qPCR Is a Sensitive and Rapid Method for Detection of Cytomegaloviral DNA in Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded Biopsy Tissue

It is crucial to identify cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of immunosuppressed patients, given their greater risk for developing severe infection. Many laboratory methods for the detection of CMV infection have been developed, including serology, viral culture, and molecular methods. Often, these methods reflect systemic involvement with CMV and do not specifically identify local tissue involvement. Therefore, detection of CMV infection in the GI tract is frequently done by traditional histology of biopsy tissue. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&#38;E) staining in conjunction with immunohistochemistry (IHC) have remained the mainstays of examining these biopsies. H&#38;E and IHC sometimes result in atypical (equivocal) staining patterns, making interpretation difficult. It was shown that quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for CMV can successfully be performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) biopsy tissue for very high sensitivity and specificity. The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate how to perform qPCR testing for the detection of CMV in FFPE biopsy tissue in a clinical laboratory setting. This method is likely to be of great benefit for patients in cases of equivocal staining for CMV in GI biopsies.

This protocol describes qPCR detection of cytomegalovirus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsy tissue, which is rapid, sensitive, specific, and useful for interpreting equivocal hematoxylin and eosin or immunohistochemical staining patterns.

qPCR es un método sensible y rápido para la detección de ADN de citomegalovirus en fija en formol, biopsia de tejido embebido en parafina

It is crucial to identify cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of immunosuppressed patients, given their greater risk for ...

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland

Indirect immunofluorescence is used to detect and locate proteins of interest in a tissue. The protocol presented here describes a complete and simple method for the immune detection of proteins, the mouse lactating mammary gland being taken as an example. A protocol for the preparation of the tissue samples, especially concerning the dissection of mouse mammary gland, tissue fixation and frozen tissue sectioning, are detailed. A standard protocol to perform indirect immunofluorescence, including an optional antigen retrieval step, is also presented. The observation of the labeled tissue sections as well as image acquisition and post-treatments are also stated. This procedure gives a full overview, from the collection of animal tissue to the cellular localization of a protein. Although this general method can be applied to other tissue samples, it should be adapted to each tissue/primary antibody couple studied.

The indirect immunofluorescence protocol described in this article allows the detection and the localization of proteins in the mouse mammary gland. A complete method is given to prepare mammary gland samples, to perform immunohistochemistry, to image the tissue sections by fluorescence microscopy, and to reconstruct images.

Inmunofluorescencia indirecta en secciones congeladas de ratón Glándula Mamaria

Indirect immunofluorescence is used to detect and locate proteins of interest in a tissue. The protocol presented here describes a complete and simple ...

Employing Digital Droplet PCR to Detect BRAF V600E Mutations in Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Reference Standard Cell Lines

ddPCR is a highly sensitive PCR method that utilizes a water-oil emulsion system. Using a droplet generator, an extracted nucleic acid sample is partitioned into ~20,000 nano-sized, water-in-oil droplets, and PCR amplification occurs in individual droplets. The ddPCR approach is in identifying sequence mutations, copy number alterations, and select structural rearrangements involving targeted genes. Here, we demonstrate the use of ddPCR as a powerful technique for precisely quantitating rare BRAF V600E mutations in FFPE reference standard cell lines, which is helpful in identifying individuals with cancer. In conclusion, ddPCR technique offers the potential to precisely profile the specific rare mutations in different genes in various types of FFPE samples.

The goal of this video is to demonstrate how to perform&#160;automated DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) reference standard cell lines and digital droplet PCR&#160;(ddPCR) analysis to detect rare mutations in a clinical setting. Detecting mutations in FFPE samples demonstrates the clinical utility of ddPCR in FFPE samples.

El empleo de la gotita de PCR digital para detectar mutaciones BRAF V600E en embebidos en parafina líneas celulares de referencia estándar fijos-formalina