Name: techniques for imaging prometaphase and metaphase of meiosis i in fixed drosophila oocytes
Uploaded: 2016-10-31T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Techniques for Imaging Prometaphase and Metaphase of Meiosis I in Fixed Drosophila Oocytes at JoVE.com

We thank Christian Lehner for providing the CENP-C antibody and Eric Joyce for recommendations on FISH. Work in the McKim lab was funded by a grant from NIH (GM101955).

Note: Procedures are performed at room temperature unless otherwise noted. Temperature-controlled incubators are used to maintain temperatures for fly rearing and crosses unless otherwise noted.
1. Preparations
<ol>
	<li>Prepare Flies.
	<ol>
		<li>Prometaphase-enriched oocyte collections.
		<ol>
			<li>Clear adult flies from healthy, young stock or cross cultures. Age bottles for two days at 25 &#176;C. 
			&#8203;NOTE: Generally two healthy bottles will suffice, although more may be needed for some cross c...

<ol>
	<li>Bridges, C. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-disjunction+as+proof+of+the+chromosome+theory+of+heredity.">Non-disjunction as proof of the chromosome theory of heredity.</a> Genetics. 1 (1), 1-52 (1916).</li><li>Hassold, T., Hunt, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=To+err+(meiotically)+is+human:+the+genesis+of+human+aneuploidy.">To err (meiotically) is human: the genesis of human aneuploidy.</a> Nat Rev Genet. 2 (4), 280-291 (2001).</li><li>Theurkauf, W. E., Hawley, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Meiotic+spindle+assembly+in+Drosophila+females:+behavior+of+nonexchange+chromosomes+and+the+effects+of+mutations+in+the+nod+kinesin-like+protein.">Meiotic spindle assembly in Drosophila females: behavior of nonexchange chromosomes and the effects of mutations in the nod kinesin-like protein.</a> J Cell Biol. 116 (5), 1167-1180 (1992).</li><li>Zou, J., Hallen, M. A., Yankel, C. D., Endow, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+microtubule-destabilizing+kinesin+motor+regulates+spindle+length+and+anchoring+in+oocytes.">A microtubule-destabilizing kinesin motor regulates spindle length and anchoring in oocytes.</a> J Cell Biol. 180 (3), 459-466 (2008).</li><li>Dernburg, A. F., Sedat, J. W., Hawley, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+evidence+of+a+role+for+heterochromatin+in+meiotic+chromosome+segregation.">Direct evidence of a role for heterochromatin in meiotic chromosome segregation.</a> Cell. 86 (1), 135-146 (1996).</li><li>Gilliland, W. D., Hughes, S. F., Vietti, D. R., Hawley, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Congression+of+achiasmate+chromosomes+to+the+metaphase+plate+in+Drosophila+melanogaster+oocytes.">Congression of achiasmate chromosomes to the metaphase plate in Drosophila melanogaster oocytes.</a> Dev Biol. 325 (1), 122-128 (2009).</li><li>Gilliland, W. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hypoxia+transiently+sequesters+mps1+and+polo+to+collagenase-sensitive+filaments+in+Drosophila+prometaphase+oocytes.">Hypoxia transiently sequesters mps1 and polo to collagenase-sensitive filaments in Drosophila prometaphase oocytes.</a> PLoS One. 4 (10), e7544 (2009).</li><li>Sullivan, W., Ashburner, M., Hawley, R. S. <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 Protocols. , (2000).</li><li>Radford, S. J., Hoang, T. L., G&#322;uszek, A. A., Ohkura, H., McKim, K. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lateral+and+End-On+Kinetochore+Attachments+Are+Coordinated+to+Achieve+Bi-orientation+in+Drosophila+Oocytes.">Lateral and End-On Kinetochore Attachments Are Coordinated to Achieve Bi-orientation in Drosophila Oocytes.</a> PLoS Genet. 11 (10), e1005605 (2015).</li><li>Smurnyy, Y., Toms, A. V., Hickson, G. R., Eck, M. J., Eggert, U. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Binucleine+2,+an+isoform-specific+inhibitor+of+Drosophila+Aurora+B+kinase,+provides+insights+into+the+mechanism+of+cytokinesis.">Binucleine 2, an isoform-specific inhibitor of Drosophila Aurora B kinase, provides insights into the mechanism of cytokinesis.</a> ACS Chem Biol. 5 (11), 1015-1020 (2010).</li><li>Mahowald, A. P., Goralski, T. J., Caulton, 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=In+vitro+activation+of+Drosophila+eggs.">In vitro activation of Drosophila eggs.</a> Dev Biol. 98 (2), 437-445 (1983).</li><li>Page, A. W., Orr-Weaver, T. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+of+the+meiotic+divisions+in+Drosophila+oocytes.">Activation of the meiotic divisions in Drosophila oocytes.</a> Dev Biol. 183 (2), 195-207 (1997).</li><li>Tavosanis, G., Llamazares, S., Goulielmos, G., Gonzalez, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Essential+role+for+gamma-tubulin+in+the+acentriolar+female+meiotic+spindle+of+Drosophila.">Essential role for gamma-tubulin in the acentriolar female meiotic spindle of Drosophila.</a> EMBO J. 16 (8), 1809-1819 (1997).</li><li>Endow, S. A., Komma, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spindle+dynamics+during+meiosis+in+Drosophila+oocytes.">Spindle dynamics during meiosis in Drosophila oocytes.</a> J Cell Biol. 137 (6), 1321-1336 (1997).</li><li>Matthies, H. J., Clarkson, M., Saint, R. B., Namba, R., Hawley, R. S., Sullivan, W., Ashburner, M., Hawley, R. S. <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 Protocols. , 67-85 (2000).</li><li>Colombi&#233;, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dual+roles+of+Incenp+crucial+to+the+assembly+of+the+acentrosomal+metaphase+spindle+in+female+meiosis.">Dual roles of Incenp crucial to the assembly of the acentrosomal metaphase spindle in female meiosis.</a> Development. 135 (19), 3239-3246 (2008).</li></ol>

Staging Drosophila Oocytes
Although an elongated karyosome is often seen in prometaphase oocytes, using karyosome shape to distinguish prometaphase from metaphase oocytes can be problematic. During prometaphase, the karyosome begins as a round shape, elongates, and then retracts to a round shape as the oocyte approaches the metaphase arrest. This means that many prometaphase oocytes do not have an elongated karyosome. In addition, if mutant or drug-treated oocytes are...

The study of meiosis is sometimes described as the "genetics of genetics". This is because the fundamental properties of chromosome inheritance and independent assortment are carried out through the segregation of chromosomes during gamete production. An important demonstration of the chromosome theory of inheritance came in 1916 from the work of Calvin Bridges in Drosophila melanogaster1. This and other classical genetics studies in Drosophila contributed greatly to our understanding of genetics. Cytological examination of meiotic chromosomes in Drosophila oocytes, however, has been challenging. This is primarily because immunofluorescence of late-stage Drosophila oocytes, when the spindle assembles and chromosomes are oriented for segregation, is hampered by the presence of membranes that render the oocyte impenetrable to antibodies.
Despite this challenge, Drosophila oocytes remain an attractive model for the study of chromosome behavior and spindle assembly. This is because of the powerful genetic tools available in Drosophila, but also because the oocytes arrest at metaphase I, when the chromosomes are oriented and the spindle is fully formed. This facilitates the collection and examination of large numbers of oocytes at this important stage of cell division. In addition, a simple model organism that is amenable to genetic manipulation for the study of oocyte chromosome segregation can provide an important contribution to our understanding of human reproductive health. Errors in chromosome number are the leading genetic cause of miscarriage and birth defects in humans2. A majority of these errors can be traced to the oocyte and are correlated with increasing maternal age. The average age of mothers in the U.S. has been increasing, making this a major public health concern.
We describe here methods for the cytological examination of Drosophila oocytes, including a demonstration of how to remove the oocyte membranes. These methods are modifications of protocols first described by Theurkauf and Hawley3, Zou et al.4, and Dernburg et al.5. We also include methods for the enrichment of different stages of oocytes, based on a protocol first described by Gilliland et al.6. Finally, we add instructions for the drug treatment of Drosophila oocytes. Together, these methods allow the cytological investigation of oocyte chromosome segregation and spindle assembly in Drosophila.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL conical tubes</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>16% formaldehyde</td>
			<td>Ted Pella, Inc.</td>
			<td>18505</td>
			<td>HAZARDOUS; once opened, discard after one month</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>250 mL beakers</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5 mL tubes</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>active dry yeast</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>mix with water to make a paste the consistency of peanut butter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-&#945;-tubulin antibody conjugated to FITC</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>F2168</td>
			<td>clone DM1A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Binucleine 2</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>B1186</td>
			<td>HAZARDOUS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>blender</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>bovine serum albumin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A4161</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>calcium chloride</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>colchicine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C-9754</td>
			<td>HAZARDOUS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>coverslips</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>48366-227</td>
			<td>No. 1 1/2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dextran sulfate</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMSO</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EGTA</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ethanol</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>forceps</td>
			<td>Ted Pella, Inc.</td>
			<td>5622</td>
			<td>Dumont tweezers high precision grade style 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>formamide</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>47670-250ML-F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>glass slides</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>48312-003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>glucose</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>graduated 1.5 mL tubes</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>EM-5330</td>
			<td>available from several venders</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hoechst 33342</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>magnesium chloride</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>methanol</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>large mesh (~1500 &#181;m)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>AA43657-NK</td>
			<td>variety of formats and other suppliers, 12 or 14 mesh</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>small mesh (~300 &#181;m)</td>
			<td>Spectrum labs</td>
			<td>146 424</td>
			<td>variety of formats, eg 146 422 or 146 486</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nutator</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pasteur pipets</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>potassium acetate</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cacodylic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C0125</td>
			<td>HAZARDOUS; alternatively, sodium cacodylate may be substituted</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>potassium hydroxide</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium acetate</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium chloride</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium citrate</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium hydroxide</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sucrose</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>taxol (paclitaxel)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T1912</td>
			<td>HAZARDOUS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>PI-28314</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween 20</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>PI-28320</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>vortex</td>
			<td>Various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

techniques for imaging prometaphase and metaphase of meiosis i in fixed drosophila oocytes

Chromosome segregation in human oocytes is error prone, resulting in aneuploidy, which is the leading genetic cause of miscarriage and birth defects. The study of chromosome behavior in oocytes from model organisms holds much promise to uncover the molecular basis of the susceptibility of human oocytes to aneuploidy. Drosophila melanogaster is amenable to genetic manipulation, with over 100 years of research, community, and technique development. Visualizing chromosome behavior and spindle assembly in Drosophila oocytes has particular challenges, however, due primarily to the presence of membranes surrounding the oocyte that are impenetrable to antibodies. We describe here protocols for the collection, preparation, and imaging of meiosis I spindle assembly and chromosome behavior in Drosophila oocytes, which allow the molecular dissection of chromosome segregation in this important model organism.

The methods we have described here will result in the collection of late-stage Drosophila oocytes representing three stages of meiosis (Figure 1). Oocytes in prophase are distinguished by the presence of the nuclear envelope, which is visible by the lack of tubulin signal in the region surrounding the karyosome (Figure 1A). Prometaphase is the period after nuclear envelope breakdown during which the spindle assembles. During prometaphase, the kar...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Techniques for Imaging Prometaphase and Metaphase of Meiosis I in Fixed Drosophila Oocytes at JoVE.com

Techniques for Imaging Prometaphase and Metaphase of Meiosis I in Fixed Drosophila Oocytes

We present protocols for the collection, preparation, and imaging of mature Drosophila oocytes. These methods allow the visualization of chromosome behavior and spindle assembly and function during meiosis.

Techniques for Imaging Prometaphase and Metaphase of Meiosis I in Fixed Drosophila Oocytes

Chromosome segregation in human oocytes is error prone, resulting in aneuploidy, which is the leading genetic cause of miscarriage and birth defects. The ...

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