We thank Drs. Erez Eliyahu, Daniel Melamed, Ophry Pines and Doron Rapaport for help and comments during the establishment of this protocol. This work is funded by the ISF (grant number 1193/09).

1. Mitochondria Purification
Weigh the pellet of cells. Roughly 0.6 g are obtained from 100 ml cells.
<ol>
	<li>Grow 100-150 ml of yeast cells to OD600 = 1-1.5 at 30 &#176;C on a nonfermentable growth medium, such as galactose-based growth medium, in order to enrich for mitochondria.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge cells at 3,000 x g for 5 min at room temperature and discard the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Wash the pellet with double distilled water and centrifuge again. Discard the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet in 1 ml DTT Buffer per 0.5 g of cells. It is important to treat the cells with a reducing agent in order to break the disulfide bonds within the cell wall, thereby improving hydrolysis.</li>
	<li>Incubate the cells for 10 min at 30 &#176;C with gentle shaking. Meanwhile, weigh 6 mg zymolyase per 1 g of cells and suspend it in Zymolyase Buffer.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge cells at 3,000 x g for 5 min at room temperature and discard the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet in 1 ml Zymolyase Buffer per 0.15 g of cells. Do not vortex.</li>
	<li>Measure OD600 of 10 &#956;l aliquot of the cells in 990 &#956;l of water.</li>
	<li>Add Zymolyase (step 1.5) to the cells to hydrolyze glucose polymers at the &#946;-1,3-glucan linkages and generate spheroplasts. From this step, spheroplasts should be kept in an isotonic solution in order to avoid lysis.</li>
	<li>Incubate cells for 15 min at 30 &#176;C (for optimal activity of zymolyase) with gentle shaking. To verify hydrolysis of the cell wall and spheroplasts generation, mix 10 &#956;l of the cells with 990 &#956;l of water. Spheroplasts are expected to lyse due to osmotic difference, and the OD600 should be at least 10-fold less than the value determined in step 1.9. If not, continue incubation with zymolyase for another 15 min.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge cells at 3,000 x g for 5 min at room temperature. Carefully discard the supernatant, as the pellet might be unstable.</li>
	<li>Wash spheroplasts with Zymolyase Buffer and discard the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspend spheroplasts with 100 ml Recovery medium. Transfer spheroplasts to an Erlenmeyer flask and incubate for 1 hr at 30 &#176;C with shaking. This recovery step is necessary since during the Zymolyase treatment translation is arrested and mRNA localization is disrupted (Figure 1B).</li>
	<li>Add 0.1 mg/ml CHX and transfer spheroplasts to a precooled 50 ml conical tube. CHX addition is important to freeze ribosomes&#8217; association with mRNAs. Thus, ribosomes-dependent mRNA association with mitochondria is maintained.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge spheroplasts at 3,000 x g for 5 min at 4 &#176;C and discard the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Wash twice with cold Mannitol Buffer.</li>
	<li>Resuspend spheroplasts with 4 ml cold Mannitol Buffer and transfer them to a Dounce homogenizer of 15 ml capacity equipped with tight fitting pestle. Gently break spheroplasts with 15 strokes and transfer the lysate to a 13 ml tube.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the lysate at 1,500 x g for 6 min at 4 &#176;C to pellet nuclei and unbroken cells.</li>
	<li>Carefully transfer the supernatant to a new tube. Set aside 1 ml (25%) of the sample as an unfractionated sample (&#8220;Total&#8221; sample). Transfer 50 ml of this sample to a new tube and add 15 ml of 4X LSB for western blot analysis. &#160;Precipitate RNA from the rest of the &#8220;Total&#8221; sample (See Protocol 3, RNA precipitation).</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the supernatant at 10,000 x g for 10 min at 4 &#176;C to pellet the mitochondria.</li>
	<li>Transfer the supernatant (~3 ml) to a new tube and keep it on ice. This is the &#8220;Cytosolic&#8221; fraction. Transfer 50 ml of this sample to a new tube and add 15 ml of 4x&#160;LSB for western blot analysis. Precipitate RNA from the rest of the &#8220;Cytosolic&#8221; sample (See Protocol 3, RNA precipitation).</li>
	<li>Wash the pellet with 3 ml Mannitol Buffer and centrifuge again at 10,000 x g for 10 min at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet with 3 ml Mannitol Buffer. This sample contains the mitochondria, and referred to as &#8220;Mitochondria&#8221; fraction. Transfer 50 ml of this sample to a new tube and add 15 ml of 4x&#160;LSB for western blot analysis.</li>
</ol>
2. RNA Extraction
<ol>
	<li>Add to each sample one volume of 8 M guanidinium-HCl and two volumes of 100% ethanol. Vortex and incubate for at least 2 hr at -20 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge samples at 10,000 x g for 20 min at 4 &#176;C. Discard supernatant. Be careful as the pellet might be unstable.</li>
	<li>Wash the pellet with 70% EtOH.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet with 400 ml of RNase-free water and transfer the sample to a new Eppendorf tube.</li>
	<li>Precipitate the RNA again by adding 0.1 volume of 3 M sodium acetate pH 5.2 and two volumes of 100% EtOH. Vortex and incubate for at least 2 hr at -20 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge samples at 20,000 x g for 20 min at 4 &#176;C. Discard the supernatant and wash with 70% EtOH.</li>
	<li>Air dry the pellet and resuspend with RNase-free water. Store RNA samples at -80 &#176;C. Samples can be used for northern analysis19 or microarray analysis18 (See Protocol 3).</li>
</ol>
3. Preparing the RNA for Microarray Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Resuspend the mRNA from step 2.2 with 650 ml of RNase-free water.</li>
	<li>To remove any residual DNA or proteins, add equal volume (650 ml) of acidic phenol:chloroform (5:1, pH 4.7) and vortex vigorously. Centrifuge at maximum speed for 2 min.</li>
	<li>Transfer 500 ml of the upper phase (the aqueous phase) to a new tube.&#160;Avoid taking the interphase, as it contains DNA. Also be careful of taking phenol, which can inhibit the reverse transcription reaction.</li>
	<li>The RNA sample contains a significant amount of heparin, which is a potent inhibitor of reverse transcriptase. Thus, for RT-PCR or microarray labeling it needs to be removed. Remove heparin by LiCl precipitation: add LiCl to a final concentration of 2 M and incubate samples over night at -20 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Thaw the samples at 4 &#176;C and centrifuge at 20,000 x g for 20 min at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Carefully discard the supernatant and wash the pellet with 80% ethanol. Centrifuge again as described in step 3.5.</li>
	<li>Discard the supernatant, air dry and resuspend the pellet in 150 ml of RNase-free water.</li>
	<li>To remove any residual LiCl, precipitate again with 0.1 volume of 3 M sodium acetate pH 5.3 and 3 volumes of 100% ethanol. Incubate at -20 &#176;C for at least 2 hr.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge at top speed for 20 min at 4 &#176;C. Wash carefully the transparent pellet with 80% ethanol and air dry.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet with 25 ml RNase-free water and keep the samples at -80 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Follow the steps for RNA labeling and hybridization described in18,20.</li>
</ol>

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Technological advancements in imaging had yielded high resolution tools to study mRNA localization. Today, one can measure the movement of even a single mRNA molecule at the msec time scale23-26. Yet, traditional biochemical approaches, as the one described above, are also informative and are preferable in some cases. Biochemical isolation allows purification of a large repertoire of mRNAs and proteins, and is therefore preferable for genome-wide studies. In a single isolation, one can obtain sufficient mRNA l...

Eukaryotic cells are organized in distinct compartments having specific functions. To accomplish its function, each compartment contains a unique set of proteins that are essential for its activity. A possible mechanism through which these proteins approach their compartment is by localized translation1,2. In this process, the protein is synthesized at its destination by ribosomes and mRNAs that are located there. Among the probable advantages of localized translation are increased efficiency of protein targeting, decreased need for protein chaperones, and enabling site-specific regulation mechanisms. Also, localized mRNAs and ribosomes can be a secluded reservoir of translation machinery in cases of cellular stress, when general translation is inhibited.
Mitochondria became in recent years a central model to study localized translation. &#160;Most mitochondria proteins are encoded in the nucleus, translated in the cytosol, and imported into the organelle. Various lines of evidence indicate that many of these proteins are produced through a local translation process. Initially, electron microscopy and biochemical fractionation studies detected ribosomes associated with mitochondria3-5. These studies where then corroborated in vivo by work on specific mRNAs, that were found to be imported only in a cotranslational manner6,7.&#160;Genome-wide studies of mRNAs association with mitochondria revealed that a significant fraction of mRNAs are localized to the mitochondria vicinity8-10. Some of these mRNAs were further characterized by in vivo fluorescence methods, such as FISH or mTAG9,11. &#160;A straight-forward interpretation of this association is that these mRNAs serve as templates for localized translation.
The mechanisms by which these mRNAs approach the mitochondria are unknown. Noncoding domains (most significantly 3&#8217; UTRs) were shown to be involved in mRNA association to the mitochondria12. These domains are likely to serve as a binding site to RNA-binding proteins which mediate their transport. Studies in yeast revealed that a member of the PUM family of proteins (Puf3) supports mRNA association with mitochondria8,13. A plausible role for Puf3, which is based on functions of other family members, is to inhibit translation while the mRNA is en route14. Thus, mRNAs may be transported in a nontranslated status, by RNA binding proteins that interact with noncoding regions. Alternatively, a large body of work suggests that transport occurs while the protein is being synthesized. In particular, translation inhibitors were shown to affect mRNAs association8,13. Furthermore, translated features such as the AUG, mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) or ORF regions were shown to assist in localization8,11,15. Hsp70-family protein chaperone and protein receptor on the mitochondria outer membrane were also shown to support mRNA association, further implying that encoded-protein features are important for mRNA localization16. This is consistent with a model in which the ribosome-emerging protein serves as recognition element for targeting mRNA-ribosome-protein complex to the mitochondria17.
Localized translation near the mitochondria was studied by various methods, including electron microscopy (to visualize ribosomes)3,&#160; FISH9,&#160; green RNA (to detect specific mRNAs)11, and biochemical fractionation (to detect both RNA and ribosomes)10,18. While the former methods detect localization in vivo and may allow visualization of transport dynamics, the latter allows detection of many different mRNAs in a single experiment. Furthermore, for biochemical fractionation coding or noncoding domains do not need to be altered, therefore their specific roles can be evaluated. Biochemical fractionation has been successfully used for many years, for isolation of many different cellular compartments. Its principals and limitations are well established, and one can easily modify existing protocols for different purpose. The necessary instrumentation is standard in many labs, therefore it is usually the first method of choice for studying intracellular localization. We describe a protocol that was optimized for isolation of mRNAs while ribosomes are associated with mitochondria. This protocol is therefore optimal for studying factors involved in localized translation near mitochondria.

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	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Yeast Extract</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">BactoPeptone</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Galactose</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">Do not autoclave Galactose</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="height:60px;">Growth medium</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">For mitochondrial enrichment, you should use any non- fermentable carbon source, such as Galactose-based growth medium sterilized 1% Yeast Extract, 2% BactoPeptone, 2% Galactose</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">0.1 M TrisHCl pH9.4</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">30 mM TrisHCl pH7.6</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Dithiothreitol (DTT)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#160;10 mM DTT Buffer</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">0.1 M TrisHCl pH 9.4, 10 mM Dithiothreitol (DTT). Make fresh every time</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">1.2 M Sorbitol</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:216px;">4 mM KH2PO4</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:216px;">16 mM K2HPO4</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">0.2&#956;m filter</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="46">
			<td height="46" style="height:46px;">Zymolyase Buffer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">1.2 M Sorbitol, 4 mM KH2PO4 , 16 mM K2HPO4. Filter this&#160; buffer (0.2&#956;m) and keep at room temperature for future use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#160;Zymolyase 20T&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">20,000 U/gr</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Recovery medium</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">Galactose-based growth medium supplemented with 1 M Sorbitol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">0.1 mg/mL Cycloheximide (CHX)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">0.6 M Mannitol</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">5 mM MgAc</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">100 mM KCl</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">0.5 mg/mL Heparin</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">1 mM phenylmethanesulfonylfluoride (PMSF)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">Mannitol Buffer</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">0.6 M Mannitol, 30 mM TrisHCl pH7.6, 5 mM MgAc, 100 mM KCl. Add freshly: 0.5 mg/mL Heparin, 0.1 mg/mL CHX and 1mM (PMSF). Filter this buffer and use it ice-cold</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">8M Guanidinium-HCl</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#160;100% and 70% Ethanol (EtOH)</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#160;3 M Sodium Acetate pH5.2</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#160;10 M LiCl stock solution</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">250 mM Tris HCl pH 6.8</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">SDS</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#160;Glycerol</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">&#946;-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Bromophenolblue</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">&#160;4xLSB</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;">250 mM Tris HCl pH 6.8, 8% SDS, 40% Glycerol, 20% &#946;-mercaptoethanol and 0.02% Bromophenol blue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">Dounce homogenizer of 15-ml capacity equipped with tight- fitting pestle</td>
			<td style="width:71px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:563px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation of mrnas associated with yeast mitochondria to study mechanisms of localized translation

Most of mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and need to be imported into the organelle. Import may occur while the protein is synthesized near the mitochondria. Support for this possibility is derived from recent studies, in which many mRNAs encoding mitochondrial proteins were shown to be localized to the mitochondria vicinity. Together with earlier demonstrations of ribosomes&#8217; association with the outer membrane, these results suggest a localized translation process. Such localized translation may improve import efficiency, provide unique regulation sites and minimize cases of ectopic expression. Diverse methods have been used to characterize the factors and elements that mediate localized translation. Standard among these is subcellular fractionation by differential centrifugation. This protocol has the advantage of isolation of mRNAs, ribosomes and proteins in a single procedure. These can then be characterized by various molecular and biochemical methods. Furthermore, transcriptomics and proteomics methods can be applied to the resulting material, thereby allow genome-wide insights. The utilization of yeast as a model organism for such studies has the advantages of speed, costs and simplicity. Furthermore, the advanced genetic tools and available deletion strains facilitate verification of candidate factors.

This protocol allows separation of a mitochondria-containing fraction from cytosolic components. The best way to test its success is to perform northern analysis and western analysis (Figure 1) to samples from the different isolation steps. Three parameters for the isolation quality are derived from these analyses. First, whether the RNA or proteins in the samples are intact &#8211; these will be detected as distinct bands in the analyses. Degradation events will induce the appearance of additional, shor...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation at JoVE.com

Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation

Many mRNAs encoding mitochondrial proteins are associated with the mitochondria outer membrane. We describe a subcellular fractionation procedure aimed at isolation of yeast mitochondria with its associated mRNAs and ribosomes. This protocol can be applied to cells grown under diverse conditions&#160;in order to reveal mechanisms of mRNA localization and localized translation near the mitochondria.

Most of mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nucleus and need to be imported into the organelle. Import may occur while the protein is synthesized ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

12.8K Views.  Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. Many mRNAs encoding mitochondrial proteins are associated with the mitochondria outer membrane. We describe a subcellular fractionation procedure aimed at isolation of yeast mitochondria with its associated mRNAs and ribosomes. This protocol can be applied to cells grown under diverse conditions in order to reveal mechanisms of mRNA localization and localized translation near the mitochondria.

Video: Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of the visual system provide more empirical evidence for functional applications. Investigation into the sensory system provides information about the sensory capacity, learning and memory ability, and establishes known baseline behaviour in which to gauge deviations (Burghardt, 1977). However, unlike mammalian or avian systems, testing for learning and memory in a reptile species is difficult. Furthermore, using an operant paradigm as a psychophysical measure of sensory ability is likewise as difficult. Historically, reptilian species have responded poorly to conditioning trials because of issues related to motivation, physiology, metabolism, and basic biological characteristics. Here, I demonstrate an operant paradigm used a novel model lizard species, the Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) and describe how to test peripheral sensitivity to salient speed and motion characteristics. This method uses an innovative approach to assessing learning and sensory capacity in lizards. I employ the use of random-dot kinematograms (RDKs) to measure sensitivity to speed, and manipulate the level of signal strength by changing the proportion of dots moving in a coherent direction. RDKs do not represent a biologically meaningful stimulus, engages the visual system, and is a classic psychophysical tool used to measure sensitivity in humans and other animals. Here, RDKs are displayed to lizards using three video playback systems. Lizards are to select the direction (left or right) in which they perceive dots to be moving. Selection of the appropriate direction is reinforced by biologically important prey stimuli, simulated by computer-animated invertebrates.

Testing visual sensitivity in lizards using an operant conditioning paradigm that employs video playback of random-dot kinematograms and computer-generated invertebrates.

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of ...

Purification of Mitochondria from Yeast Cells

Mitochondria are the main site of ATP production during aerobic metabolism in eukaryotic non-photosynthetic cells1. These complex organelles also play essential roles in apoptotic cell death2, cell survival3, mammalian development4, neuronal development and function4, intracellular signalling5, and longevity regulation6. Our understanding of these complex biological processes controlled by mitochondria relies on robust methods for assessing their morphology, their protein and lipid composition, the integrity of their DNA, and their numerous vital functions. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a genetically and biochemically manipulable unicellular eukaryote with annotated genome and well-defined proteome, is a valuable model for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying essential biological functions of mitochondria. For these types of studies, it is crucial to have highly pure mitochondria. Here we present a detailed description of a rapid and effective method for purification of yeast mitochondria. This method enables the isolation of highly pure mitochondria that are essentially free of contamination by other organelles and retain their structural and functional integrity after their purification. Mitochondria purified by this method are suitable for cell-free reconstitution of essential mitochondrial processes and can be used for the analysis of mitochondrial structure and functions, mitochondrial proteome and lipidome, and mitochondrial DNA.

We describe a rapid and effective method for purification of mitochondria from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This method enables the high-yield isolation of pure mitochondria that are essentially free of contamination by other organelles and retain their structural and functional integrity after their purification.

Mitochondria are the main site of ATP production during aerobic metabolism in eukaryotic non-photosynthetic cells1. These complex organelles also play ...

Isolation and Purification of Drosophila Peripheral Neurons by Magnetic Bead Sorting

The Drosophila peripheral nervous system (PNS) is a powerful model for investigating the complex processes of neuronal development and dendrite morphogenesis at the functional and molecular levels. To aid in these analyses, we have developed a strategy for the isolation of a subclass of PNS neurons called dendritic arborization (da) neurons that have been widely used for studying dendrite morphogenesis1,2. These neurons are very difficult to isolate as a pure population, due in part to their extremely low occurrence and their difficult-to-reach location below the tough chitinous larval cuticle. Our newly developed method overcomes these challenges, and is based on a fast and specific cell enrichment using antibody-coated magnetic beads. For our magnetic bead sorting studies, we have used age-matched third instar larvae expressing a mouse CD8 tagged GFP fusion protein (UAS-mCD8-GFP)3 under the control of either the class IV dendritic arborization (da) neuron-specific pickpocket (ppk)-GAL4 driver4 or the control of the pan-da neuron-specific GAL421-7 driver5. Although this protocol has been optimized for isolating PNS cells which are attached to the inner wall of the larval cuticle, by varying a few parameters, the same protocol could be used to isolate many different cell types attached to the cuticle at larval or pupal stages of development (e.g. epithelia, muscle, oenocytes etc.), or other cell types from larval organs depending upon the GAL4-specific driver expression pattern. The RNA isolated by this method is of high quality and can be readily used for downstream genomic analyses such as microarray gene expression profiling studies. This approach offers a powerful new tool to perform studies on isolated Drosophila dendritic arborization (da) neurons thereby providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying dendrite morphogenesis.

Isolation and Purification of Drosophila Peripheral Neurons by Magnetic Bead Sorting

In this video-article we present a method for the isolation and purification of Drosophila peripheral neurons using a fast magnetic bead assisted cell sorting strategy. RNA obtained from the isolated cells can be readily used for downstream applications including microarray analyses.

The Drosophila peripheral nervous system (PNS) is a powerful model for investigating the complex processes of neuronal development and dendrite ...

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Localized mRNAs in Mammalian Cells

In eukaryotes, most of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode secreted and membrane proteins are localized to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the visualization of these mRNAs can be challenging. This is especially true when only a fraction of the mRNA is ER-associated and their distribution to this organelle is obstructed by non-targeted (i.e. "free") transcripts. In order to monitor ER-associated mRNAs, we have developed a method in which cells are treated with a short exposure to a digitonin extraction solution that selectively permeabilizes the plasma membrane, and thus removes the cytoplasmic contents, while simultaneously maintaining the integrity of the ER. When this method is coupled with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), one can clearly visualize ER-bound mRNAs by fluorescent microscopy. Using this protocol the degree of ER-association for either bulk poly(A) transcripts or specific mRNAs can be assessed and even quantified. In the process, one can use this assay to investigate the nature of mRNA-ER interactions.

Here we describe a method to visualize endoplasmic reticulum-associated mRNAs in mammalian tissue culture cells. This technique involves the selective permeabilization of the plasma membrane with digitonin to remove cytoplasmic contents followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization to detect either bulk poly(A) mRNA or specific transcripts.

In eukaryotes, most of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that encode secreted and membrane proteins are localized to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum ...

Confocal Imaging of Single Mitochondrial Superoxide Flashes in Intact Heart or In Vivo

Mitochondrion is a critical intracellular organelle responsible for energy production and intracellular signaling in eukaryotic systems. Mitochondrial dysfunction often accompanies and contributes to human disease. Majority of the approaches that have been developed to evaluate mitochondrial function and dysfunction are based on in vitro or ex vivo measurements. Results from these experiments have limited ability in determining mitochondrial function in vivo. Here, we describe a novel approach that utilizes confocal scanning microscopy for the imaging of intact tissues in live aminals, which allows the evaluation of single mitochondrial function in a real-time manner in vivo. First, we generate transgenic mice expressing the mitochondrial targeted superoxide indicator, circularly permuted yellow fluorescent protein (mt-cpYFP). Anesthetized mt-cpYFP mouse is fixed on a custom-made stage adaptor and time-lapse images are taken from the exposed skeletal muscles of the hindlimb. The mouse is subsequently sacrificed and the heart is set up for Langendorff perfusion with physiological solutions at 37 &deg;C. The perfused heart is positioned in a special chamber on the confocal microscope stage and gentle pressure is applied to immobilize the heart and suppress heart beat induced motion artifact. Superoxide flashes are detected by real-time 2D confocal imaging at a frequency of one frame per second. The perfusion solution can be modified to contain different respiration substrates or other fluorescent indicators. The perfusion can also be adjusted to produce disease models such as ischemia and reperfusion. This technique is a unique approach for determining the function of single mitochondrion in intact tissues and in vivo.

Confocal Imaging of Single Mitochondrial Superoxide Flashes in Intact Heart or In Vivo

Confocal scanning microscopy is applied for imaging single mitochondrial events in perfused heart or skeletal muscles in live animal. Real-time monitoring of single mitochondrial processes such as superoxide flashes and membrane potential fluctuations enables the evaluation of mitochondrial function in a physiologically relevant context and during pathological perturbations.

Mitochondrion is a critical intracellular organelle responsible for energy production and intracellular signaling in eukaryotic systems. Mitochondrial ...

A Cell-Free Assay Using Xenopus laevis Embryo Extracts to Study Mechanisms of Nuclear Size Regulation

A fundamental question in cell biology is how cell and organelle sizes are regulated. It has long been recognized that the size of the nucleus generally scales with the size of the cell, notably during embryogenesis when dramatic reductions in both cell and nuclear sizes occur. Mechanisms of nuclear size regulation are largely unknown and may be relevant to cancer where altered nuclear size is a key diagnostic and prognostic parameter. In vivo approaches to identifying nuclear size regulators are complicated by the essential and complex nature of nuclear function. The in vitro approach described here to study nuclear size control takes advantage of the normal reductions in nuclear size that occur during Xenopus laevis development. First, nuclei are assembled in X. laevis egg extract. Then, these nuclei are isolated and resuspended in cytoplasm from late stage embryos. After a 30 - 90 min incubation period, nuclear surface area decreases by 20 - 60%, providing a useful assay to identify cytoplasmic components present in late stage embryos that contribute to developmental nuclear size scaling. A major advantage of this approach is the relative facility with which the egg and embryo extracts can be biochemically manipulated, allowing for the identification of novel proteins and activities that regulate nuclear size. As with any in vitro approach, validation of results in an in vivo system is important, and microinjection of X. laevis embryos is particularly appropriate for these studies.

A Cell-Free Assay Using Xenopus laevis Embryo Extracts to Study Mechanisms of Nuclear Size Regulation

Mechanisms of cellular and intra-cellular scaling remain elusive. The use of Xenopus embryo extracts has become increasingly common to elucidate mechanisms of organelle size regulation. This method describes embryo extract preparation and a novel nuclear scaling assay through which mechanisms of nuclear size regulation can be identified.

A fundamental question in cell biology is how cell and organelle sizes are regulated. It has long been recognized that the size of the nucleus generally ...

Analysis of the Gap Junction-dependent Transfer of miRNA with 3D-FRAP Microscopy

Small antisense RNAs, like miRNA and siRNA, play an important role in cellular physiology and pathology and, moreover, can be used as therapeutic agents in the treatment of several diseases. The development of new, innovative strategies for miRNA/siRNA therapy is based on an extensive knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. Recent data suggest that small RNAs are exchanged between cells in a gap junction-dependent manner, thereby inducing gene regulatory effects in the recipient cell. Molecular biological techniques and flow cytometric analysis are commonly used to study the intercellular exchange of miRNA. However, these methods do not provide high temporal resolution, which is necessary when studying the gap junctional flux of molecules. Therefore, to investigate the impact of miRNA/siRNA as intercellular signaling molecules, novel tools are needed that will allow for the analysis of these small RNAs at the cellular level. The present protocol describes the application of three-dimensional fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (3D-FRAP) microscopy to elucidating the gap junction-dependent exchange of miRNA molecules between cardiac cells. Importantly, this straightforward and non-invasive live-cell imaging approach allows for the visualization and quantification of the gap junctional shuttling of fluorescently labeled small RNAs in real time, with high spatio-temporal resolution. The data obtained by 3D-FRAP confirm a novel pathway of intercellular gene regulation, where small RNAs act as signaling molecules within the intercellular network.

Here, we describe the application of three-dimensional fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (3D-FRAP) for the analysis of the gap junction-dependent shuttling of miRNA. In contrast to commonly applied methods, 3D-FRAP allows for the quantification of the intercellular transfer of small RNAs in real time, with high spatio-temporal resolution.

Small antisense RNAs, like miRNA and siRNA, play an important role in cellular physiology and pathology and, moreover, can be used as therapeutic agents ...

The Use of the Patch-Clamp Technique to Study the Thermogenic Capacity of Mitochondria

Mitochondrial thermogenesis (also known as mitochondrial uncoupling) is one of the most promising targets for increasing energy expenditure to combat metabolic syndrome. Thermogenic tissues such as brown and beige fats develop highly specialized mitochondria for heat production. Mitochondria of other tissues, which primarily produce ATP, also convert up to 25% of the total mitochondrial energy production into heat and can, therefore, have a considerable impact on the physiology of the whole body. Mitochondrial thermogenesis is not only essential for maintaining the body temperature, but also prevents diet-induced obesity and reduces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to protect cells from oxidative damage. Since mitochondrial thermogenesis is a key regulator of cellular metabolism, a mechanistic understanding of this fundamental process will help in the development of therapeutic strategies to combat many pathologies associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Importantly, the precise molecular mechanisms that control acute activation of thermogenesis in mitochondria are poorly defined. This lack of information is largely due to a dearth of methods for the direct measurement of uncoupling proteins. The recent development of patch-clamp methodology applied to mitochondria enabled, for the first time, the direct study of the phenomenon at the origin of mitochondrial thermogenesis, H+ leak through the IMM, and the first biophysical characterization of mitochondrial transporters responsible for it, the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), specific of brown and beige fats, and the ADP/ATP transporter (AAC) for all other tissues. This unique approach will provide new insights into the mechanisms that control H+ leak and mitochondrial thermogenesis and how they can be targeted to combat metabolic syndrome. This paper describes the patch-clamp methodology applied to mitochondria to study their thermogenic capacity by directly measuring H+ currents through the IMM.

This method article details the main steps in measuring H+ leak across the inner mitochondrial membrane with the patch-clamp technique, a new approach to study the thermogenic capacity of mitochondria.

Mitochondrial thermogenesis (also known as mitochondrial uncoupling) is one of the most promising targets for increasing energy expenditure to combat ...

Application of Passive Head Motion to Generate Defined Accelerations at the Heads of Rodents

Exercise is widely recognized as effective for various diseases and physical disorders, including those related to brain dysfunction. However, molecular mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of exercise are poorly understood. Many physical workouts, particularly those classified as aerobic exercises such as jogging and walking, produce impulsive forces at the time of foot contact with the ground. Therefore, it was speculated that mechanical impact might be implicated in how exercise contributes to organismal homeostasis. For testing this hypothesis on the brain, a custom-designed ''passive head motion'' (hereafter referred to as PHM) system was developed that can generate vertical accelerations with controlled and defined magnitudes and modes and reproduce mechanical stimulation that might be applied to the heads of rodents during treadmill running at moderate velocities, a typical intervention to test the effects of exercise in animals. By using this system, it was demonstrated that PHM recapitulates the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, hereafter referred to as 5-HT) receptor subtype 2A (5-HT2A) signaling in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurons of mice. This work provides detailed protocols for applying PHM and measuring its resultant mechanical accelerations at rodents' heads.

The present protocol describes a custom-designed ''passive head motion'' system, which reproduces mechanical accelerations at rodents' heads generated during their treadmill running at moderate velocities. It allows dissecting mechanical factors/elements from the beneficial effects of physical exercise.

Exercise is widely recognized as effective for various diseases and physical disorders, including those related to brain dysfunction. However, molecular ...

Isolation of Mitochondria from Mouse Skeletal Muscle for Respirometric Assays

Most of the cell&#39;s energy is obtained through the degradation of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids by different pathways that converge on the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, which is regulated in response to cellular demands. The lipid molecule Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is essential in this process by transferring electrons to complex III in the electron transport chain (ETC) through constant oxidation/reduction cycles. Mitochondria status and, ultimately, cellular health can be assessed by measuring ETC oxygen consumption using respirometric assays. These studies are typically performed in established or primary cell lines that have been cultured for several days. In both cases, the respiration parameters obtained may have deviated from normal physiological conditions in&#160;any given organ or tissue.
Additionally, the intrinsic characteristics of cultured single fibers isolated from skeletal muscle impede this type of analysis. This paper presents an updated and detailed protocol for the analysis of respiration in freshly isolated mitochondria from mouse skeletal muscle. We also provide solutions to potential problems that could arise at any step of the process. The method presented here could be applied to compare oxygen consumption rates in diverse transgenic mouse models and study the mitochondrial response to drug treatments or other factors such as aging or sex. This is a feasible method to respond to crucial questions about mitochondrial bioenergetics metabolism and regulation.

Here, we describe a detailed method for mitochondria isolation from mouse skeletal muscle and the subsequent analysis of respiration by Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) using microplate-based respirometric assays. This pipeline can be applied to study the effects of multiple environmental or genetic interventions on mitochondrial metabolism.

Most of the cell&#39;s energy is obtained through the degradation of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids by different pathways that converge on the ...