Name: computational analysis of the caenorhabditis elegans germline to study the distribution of nuclei, proteins, and the cytoskeleton
Uploaded: 2018-04-19T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Computational Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans Germline to Study the Distribution of Nuclei, Proteins, and the Cytoskeleton at JoVE.com

我们感谢显微成像的技术支持。有些菌株是由由 NIH 研究基础设施项目 (P40 OD010440) 资助的秀丽遗传学中心提供的。这项工作得到了一所大学生物医学发现奖学金, 澳洲项目赠款 (GNT1105374), 澳洲高级研究金 (GNT1137645) 和 veski 创新研究金的支持: VIF 23 到罗杰波科克。

1. 制剂和畜牧业
注: 有关所有产品信息, 请参阅材料表。
<ol><li>OP50 大肠杆菌文化: OP50 细菌溶源性汤 (磅) (1% 胰蛋白胨, 0.5% 酵母, 0.5% NaCl, pH 7.0) 隔夜在37°c 没有抗生素. </li>
	<li>种子400µL OP50 细菌的线虫生长培养基 (NGM) 板 (1.5 克氯化钠, 8.5 克琼脂, 1.25 克蛋白胨, 1 毫升1米 CaCl2, 1 毫升5毫克/毫升胆固醇在乙醇, 1 毫升1米 MgSO4, 25 毫升1米 KPO4...

<ol>
	<li>Hubbard, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Caenorhabditis+elegans+germ+line:+a+model+for+stem+cell+biology.">Caenorhabditis elegans germ line: a model for stem cell biology.</a> Dev Dyn. 236 (12), 3343-3357 (2007).</li><li>Joshi, P. M., Riddle, M. R., Djabrayan, N. J., Rothman, 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=Caenorhabditis+elegans+as+a+model+for+stem+cell+biology.">Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for stem cell biology.</a> Dev Dyn. 239 (5), 1539-1554 (2010).</li><li>Kershner, A., 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=Germline+stem+cells+and+their+regulation+in+the+nematode+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Germline stem cells and their regulation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Adv Exp Med Biol. 786, 29-46 (2013).</li><li>Byrd, D. T., Knobel, K., Affeldt, K., Crittenden, S. L., Kimble, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+DTC+niche+plexus+surrounds+the+germline+stem+cell+pool+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">A DTC niche plexus surrounds the germline stem cell pool in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> PLoS One. 9 (2), 88372 (2014).</li><li>Kimble, J., Crittenden, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Controls+of+germline+stem+cells,+entry+into+meiosis,+and+the+sperm/oocyte+decision+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Controls of germline stem cells, entry into meiosis, and the sperm/oocyte decision in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 23, 405-433 (2007).</li><li>Hansen, D., Hubbard, E. J., Schedl, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multi-pathway+control+of+the+proliferation+versus+meiotic+development+decision+in+the+Caenorhabditis+elegans+germline.">Multi-pathway control of the proliferation versus meiotic development decision in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline.</a> Dev Biol. 268 (2), 342-357 (2004).</li><li>Crittenden, S. L., 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=A+conserved+RNA-binding+protein+controls+germline+stem+cells+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">A conserved RNA-binding protein controls germline stem cells in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Nature. 417 (6889), 660-663 (2002).</li><li>Eckmann, C. R., Crittenden, S. L., Suh, N., Kimble, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GLD-3+and+control+of+the+mitosis/meiosis+decision+in+the+germline+of+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">GLD-3 and control of the mitosis/meiosis decision in the germline of Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 168 (1), 147-160 (2004).</li><li>Schumacher, B., 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=Translational+repression+of+C.+elegans+p53+by+GLD-1+regulates+DNA+damage-induced+apoptosis.">Translational repression of C. elegans p53 by GLD-1 regulates DNA damage-induced apoptosis.</a> Cell. 120 (3), 357-368 (2005).</li><li>McMullen, P. 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=Macro-level+modeling+of+the+response+of+C.+elegans+reproduction+to+chronic+heat+stress.">Macro-level modeling of the response of C. elegans reproduction to chronic heat stress.</a> PLoS Comput Biol. 8 (1), 1002338 (2012).</li><li>Hubbard, E. J., Korta, D. Z., Dalfo, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Physiological+control+of+germline+development.">Physiological control of germline development.</a> Adv Exp Med Biol. 757, 101-131 (2013).</li><li>Wolke, U., Jezuit, E. A., Priess, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Actin-dependent+cytoplasmic+streaming+in+C.+elegans+oogenesis.">Actin-dependent cytoplasmic streaming in C. elegans oogenesis.</a> Development. 134 (12), 2227-2236 (2007).</li><li>Jones, A. R., Francis, R., Schedl, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GLD-1,+a+cytoplasmic+protein+essential+for+oocyte+differentiation,+shows+stage-+and+sex-specific+expression+during+Caenorhabditis+elegans+germline+development.">GLD-1, a cytoplasmic protein essential for oocyte differentiation, shows stage- and sex-specific expression during Caenorhabditis elegans germline development.</a> Dev Biol. 180 (1), 165-183 (1996).</li><li>Hasegawa, E., Karashima, T., Sumiyoshi, E., Yamamoto, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=C.+elegans+CPB-3+interacts+with+DAZ-1+and+functions+in+multiple+steps+of+germline+development.">C. elegans CPB-3 interacts with DAZ-1 and functions in multiple steps of germline development.</a> Dev Biol. 295 (2), 689-699 (2006).</li><li>Austin, J., Kimble, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=glp-1+is+required+in+the+germ+line+for+regulation+of+the+decision+between+mitosis+and+meiosis+in+C.+elegans.">glp-1 is required in the germ line for regulation of the decision between mitosis and meiosis in C. elegans.</a> Cell. 51 (4), 589-599 (1987).</li><li>Berry, L. W., Westlund, B., Schedl, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Germ-line+tumor+formation+caused+by+activation+of+glp-1,+a+Caenorhabditis+elegans+member+of+the+Notch+family+of+receptors.">Germ-line tumor formation caused by activation of glp-1, a Caenorhabditis elegans member of the Notch family of receptors.</a> Development. 124 (4), 925-936 (1997).</li><li>Fox, P. M., Schedl, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+Germline+Stem+Cell+Differentiation+Following+Loss+of+GLP-1+Notch+Activity+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Analysis of Germline Stem Cell Differentiation Following Loss of GLP-1 Notch Activity in Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Genetics. 201 (1), 167-184 (2015).</li><li>Pasierbek, P., 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=A+Caenorhabditis+elegans+cohesion+protein+with+functions+in+meiotic+chromosome+pairing+and+disjunction.">A Caenorhabditis elegans cohesion protein with functions in meiotic chromosome pairing and disjunction.</a> Genes and Development. 15 (11), 1349-1360 (2001).</li><li>Klass, M., Wolf, N., Hirsh, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+the+male+reproductive+system+and+sexual+transformation+in+the+nematode+Caenorhabditis+elegans.">Development of the male reproductive system and sexual transformation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.</a> Dev Biol. 52 (1), 1-18 (1976).</li><li>Korta, D. Z., Tuck, S., Hubbard, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=S6K+links+cell+fate,+cell+cycle+and+nutrient+response+in+C.+elegans+germline+stem/progenitor+cells.">S6K links cell fate, cell cycle and nutrient response in C. elegans germline stem/progenitor cells.</a> Development. 139 (5), 859-870 (2012).</li><li>Laband, K., 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=Chromosome+segregation+occurs+by+microtubule+pushing+in+oocytes.">Chromosome segregation occurs by microtubule pushing in oocytes.</a> Nat Commun. 8 (1), 1499 (2017).</li></ol>

该协议的目标是提高准确性, 减少生殖分析所需的时间。在解剖 germlines 的标准制备后, 通过计算渲染, 制备了一个三维生殖核模型。在允许观测生殖核在空间中的分布时, 三维渲染计算了生殖特定区域的核数目。我们的方法的关键方面是准确定义的大小和形状参数的原子核。这取决于染色的清晰度和图像的放大倍数。通过与已发布的手动分析数据1进行比较, 我们确认了该方法的正...

与哺乳动物的信号通路守恒使线虫成为研究多个生物过程的优秀模型1,2。在实验室中, 我们使用线虫生殖研究干细胞的发育、凋亡和基因表达。虽然生殖是一个三维结构, 但由于三维分析的耗时和劳动密集型性质, 许多研究是二维的。二维分析极有可能会在生殖中歪曲体内事件。C. 线虫成体雌雄同体有两个生殖臂, 每个手臂都有一个躯体远端尖端细胞 (DTC), 在未分化状态3,4中维持远端生殖细胞。这些生殖细胞开始分化, 因为它们离开 DTC, 逃避其影响, 并成为卵母细胞和精子, 因为它们到达生殖的近端。在此过程中, 生殖细胞核发生有丝分裂, 然后过渡到减数分裂5,6。精子生产由发育的幼虫阶段 4 (L4) 完成, 之后卵母细胞在成年期间产生。精子储存在蝗受精囊卵母细胞中, 以生成胚胎。
有多种遗传和环境因素可以影响线虫中的生殖发展, 导致细胞核数量、凋亡事件数、染色体动态、蛋白质表达和/或定位的变化7 ,8,9,10,11。对这些事件的分析需要确定基于核形态和分布的各个分化阶段。要用大量的样本量手动准确地分析这些参数, 是劳动密集型和耗时的。为了规避这些缺点, 并使分析的一致性, 我们开发了一种自动化的方法, 三维检查的线虫生殖核计数, 核分布, 蛋白质表达, 和骨架结构。将共焦显微术与三维渲染相结合, 生成了粒度和形状参数, 用于鉴定生殖细胞分化的各个阶段。此外, 这种方法可以计数的生殖细胞核和精子加评分的染色体数在每个卵母细胞。
生殖的一个关键结构是骨架, 它提供了生殖室的稳定性, 艾滋病细胞质流和保护生殖核12。利用计算渲染, 我们对生殖细胞骨架进行了三维重建, 并在生殖中发现了明显的骨架特征。在这里, 我们描述了一步一步的协议, 以说明计算分析如何结合共焦成像, 使对C. 线虫生殖的综合分析。
我们提出了一个快速的方法, 三维分析线虫生殖 (图 1)。利用三维分析, 可以研究生殖核的三维分布 (图 2和图 3), 自动计数单元格 (图 2), 重建生殖骨架 (图 3), 蛋白质的分布 (图 4), 并评分卵母细胞中蝗受精囊和染色体中的精子数量(图 5)。该方法不仅能方便准确地量化生殖, 而且能识别生理上相关的表型。

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:933px;" width="934">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">C. elegans strains: wild type (N2, Bristol), rnp-8(tm2435) I/hT2[bli-4(e937) let-?(q782) qIs48] (I;III), cpb-3(bt17) I, glp-1 (e2141) III&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Caenorhabditis Genetics Center (CGC)</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">OP50 Escherichia coli bacteria</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Homemade</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Nematode Growth Media (NGM) plates</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Homemade</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">polyclonal rabbit anti-REC-8&#160;</td>
			<td>SDIX</td>
			<td>29470002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alexa 488 conjugated antibody raised in goat</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A-21236</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cytoskeletal dye phalloidin&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">A-12380</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DAPI&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td>62248</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Poly-L-lysine&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P5899</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Tetramisol&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P5899</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;">MgSO4</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">M7506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">1M HEPES buffer, pH 7.4&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">G0887</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">10X PBS pH 7.4&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AM9625</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Tween-20&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P1389</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">EGTA</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>E3889</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">37% Paraformaldehyde solution</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>1040031000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Normal goat serum</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>G9023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fluoroshield fixing reagent&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>F6182</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Ethanol&#160;</td>
			<td>Millipore&#160;</td>
			<td>1009832511</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Methanol</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>34860</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">20&#176;C &#38; 25&#176;CIncubator&#160;</td>
			<td>Any brand</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Light microscope</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Any brand</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Confocal microscope&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Any brand (Leica, Zeiss)</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Computer equipped with Imaris suit 8.4.1 or later version, full licence to use the software and Matlab software.</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Bitplane</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Phospho buffered saline, pH 7.4</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Homemade</td>
			<td style="width:168px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Teflon microscope slides&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:264px;">Tekdon&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:168px;">&#160;941-322-8288</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

computational analysis of the caenorhabditis elegans germline to study the distribution of nuclei, proteins, and the cytoskeleton

秀丽线虫(C. 线虫) 生殖用于研究几个生物学上重要的过程, 包括干细胞发育、细胞凋亡和染色体动力学。虽然生殖是一个很好的模型, 分析往往是二维由于时间和劳动力需要的三维分析。这些研究的主要读数是生殖中细胞核和蛋白质分布的数量/位置。在这里, 我们提出了一个方法来执行生殖的自动分析使用共焦显微镜和计算方法, 以确定核在每个区域的生殖的数量和位置。我们的方法还分析了生殖蛋白的分布, 使三维检测的蛋白质表达在不同的遗传背景。此外, 我们的研究显示在生殖的不同区域骨架体系结构的变化, 可以适应特定的空间发展要求。最后, 我们的方法可以自动计数的精子在每个生殖的蝗受精囊。结合起来, 我们的方法实现了对C. 线虫生殖的快速和可重现的表型分析。

图 1表示三维生殖分析所需的时间。L4 雌雄同体孵化20摄氏度被解剖, 以隔离 germlines 和染色 DAPI, 罗丹明和抗体对生殖蛋白。Germlines 是用共焦显微镜成像的。染色和共焦显微术需要大约24小时的完整生殖计算分析需要 10-15 分钟来计算细胞核的数量和位置, 确定蛋白质分布, 分析骨架结构, 并评分精子数量。完整的手动分析要求每生殖超过2小时, 并受操作...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Computational Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans Germline to Study the Distribution of Nuclei, Proteins, and the Cytoskeleton at JoVE.com

Computational Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans Germline to Study the Distribution of Nuclei, Proteins, and the Cytoskeleton

秀丽线虫生殖的计算分析研究细胞核、蛋白质和细胞骨架的分布

我们为秀丽线虫生殖提供三维重建的自动方法.我们的方法确定生殖中每个核的数量和位置, 并分析生殖蛋白质分布和骨架结构。

The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) germline is used to study several biologically important processes including stem cell development, apoptosis, and ...

The overall goal of this method is to automate the analysis of a Caenorhabditis elegans germline to study its nuclei, protein, and cytoskeletal distribution. This method can help answer the key questions in the C.Elegans field about the number of nuclei and sperm, nuclear distribution, and cytoskeletal structure of the germline. The main advantages of this technique are it reduces the analysis time, increases the sample size, and eliminate the human error associated with the manual analysis.To image the samples, place slides with stained germlines into the slide holder above the 63X objective of a confocal microscope, and locate a germline. Focus on the top of the germline, and mark it with the confocal microscope software. When the total germline thickness has been established, define the thickness of each slice up to 0.5 micrometers, and mark the complete germline.Then, start the acquisition, scanning each slice eight times and averaging the values to improve the image quality. When all of the images have been obtained, import the images to an appropriate image analysis software program, and use the surface function tool to select the mitotic region. An image of the distal end of the germline will appear.Cancel the automatic surface creation wizard, and manually draw a region of interest around the mitotic region at the first and last slices of the image from the three-dimensional stack. Click Create Surface, followed by Mask Channel, to mask all of the channels except the DAPI channel. Using the spot function tool, define the size parameters of the mitotic region with an XY diameter of two micrometers and with the Z diameter undefined.Click subtract background to subtract the background. To define the minimum threshold, increase the minimum 3D rendering threshold on a DAPI-stained wild-type germline until the first spot appears outside of the germline, and generate a 3D model for each region. After saving the images, click table to view the number of nuclei, as generated automatically by the software, and export the images as TIFF files.For the transition zone, create surface as explained before. Then, click Mask Channel to mask all the channels except the DAPI channel. Using spot function, define an XY diameter of two micrometers and Z diameter of 1.5 micrometers, and click subtract background to subtract the background.To define the minimum threshold, increase the minimum 3D rendering threshold on a DAPI-stained wild-type germline until the first spot appears outside of the germline, and generate a 3D model for each region. After saving the images, click table to view the number of nuclei, as generated automatically by the software, and export the images as TIFF files. For scoring the sperm number, select the spermatheca as the region of interest, as demonstrated for the nuclei regions, and use the spot function tool to define the XY diameter between 0.75 and one micrometers with an undefined Z diameter to detect each sperm.Select the Background Subtract box, and use the background correction values calculated by the software to subtract the background. Then, adjust the 3D rendering threshold to detect all of the DAPI-stained sperm in the spermatheca. For chromosome counting in the oocytes, select the oocytes and define the XY diameter as less than 0.75 micrometers, and define the threshold before developing the 3D models.Then, save the images for export as TIFF files. For cytoskeletal germline reconstruction, identify the mitotic region of interest in the germline and create a surface mask as previously demonstrated. Click Mask Channels to mask all of the channels except the phalloidin channel, and use the surface function tool to define a surface detail of 0.25 micrometers.After subtracting the background, adjust the 3D rendering threshold to save the developed 3D image for export as a TIFF file. The nuclei distribution is dependent on the stage of differentiation. For example, at the mitotic region, the inner actin appears as a solid mass upon which the nuclei are organized.In a wild-type germline, the mitotic region contains approximately 250 nuclei and is tightly packed with nuclei compared to the rest of the germline. As the nuclei move away from the distal end, however, they appear closer to the circumference of the germline, with the change in distribution starting at the transition zone and finishing as the nuclei enter the third stage of prophase in meiosis. At the transition zone, the germline inner actin assumes a more cylindrical structure, becoming a hollow cylinder as it reaches the pachytene.The second layer of actin covers the inner layer, giving shape to the germline. This cylinder within a cylinder actin structure disappears toward the oocyte region, at which point the actin appears as thick fibers covering the oocytes. In the spermatheca, the actin also forms into thick bundles of fiber, although these fibers appear to be packed more closely together than in the oocyte region.Three-dimensional rendering of the proximal end of the germline, as demonstrated, reveals an average of 151 sperm in each spermatheca. Once mastered, this analysis can be completed in 10 minutes per germline. While attempting this procedure, it is important to remember to define the analysis parameters according to the magnification of the objective used to visualize the germline in your experiment.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to perform an automatic analysis of a germline and to study cytoskeletal structure and to score the number of the nuclei within the germline.

Research

JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

Computational Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans Germline to Study the Distribution of Nuclei, Proteins, and the Cytoskeleton

Comprehensive Assessment of Germline Chemical Toxicity Using the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Comprehensive Assessment of Germline Chemical Toxicity Using the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

生殖系化学毒性的利用线虫综合评估<em&gt;秀丽隐杆线虫</em

Identifying the reproductive toxicity of the thousands of chemicals present in our environment has been one of the most tantalizing challenges in the ...

科研

发育生物学

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients

利用共聚焦分析<em&gt;非洲爪蟾</em&gt;调查的Wnt和Shh形态发生素梯度的调节剂

This protocol describes a method to visualise ligands distributed across a field of cells. The ease of expressing exogenous proteins, together with the ...

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Active ERK in the C. elegans Germline

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Active ERK in the C. elegans Germline

在Active ERK的时空分析<em&gt;℃。线虫</em&gt;生殖系

The evolutionarily conserved&#160;extracellular signal transducing RTK-RAS-ERK pathway is an important kinase-signaling cascade that controls multiple ...

Isolation and Characterization of Primary Rat Valve Interstitial Cells: A New Model to Study Aortic Valve Calcification

原发性大鼠瓣膜间质细胞的分离与鉴定: 主动脉瓣钙化的新模型研究

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is characterized by the progressive thickening of the aortic valve leaflets. It is a condition frequently found in ...

Immobilization of Caenorhabditis elegans to Analyze Intracellular Transport in Neurons

Immobilization of Caenorhabditis elegans to Analyze Intracellular Transport in Neurons

固定化的线虫线虫分析神经元内细胞的转运

Axonal transport and intraflagellar transport (IFT) are essential for axon and cilia morphogenesis and function. Kinesin superfamily proteins and dynein ...

Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans

Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans

rna 干扰和热休克诱导转录因子表达在重编程生殖细胞到神经元中的应用C. 线虫

Studying the cell biological processes during converting the identities of specific cell types provides important insights into mechanism that maintain ...

Assessing Lysosomal Alkalinization in the Intestine of Live Caenorhabditis elegans

Assessing Lysosomal Alkalinization in the Intestine of Live Caenorhabditis elegans

评估溶酶体碱化在活的秀丽线虫中的肠道

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a model system that is widely used to study longevity and developmental pathways. Such studies are ...

Cell Cycle Analysis in the C. elegans Germline with the Thymidine Analog EdU

Cell Cycle Analysis in the C. elegans Germline with the Thymidine Analog EdU

种系线虫与胸苷模拟教育的细胞周期分析

Cell cycle analysis in eukaryotes frequently utilizes chromosome morphology, expression and/or localization of gene products required for various phases ...

Studying Oxidative Stress Caused by the Mitis Group Streptococci in Caenorhabditis elegans

Studying Oxidative Stress Caused by the Mitis Group Streptococci in Caenorhabditis elegans

线虫中耳炎群链球菌引起氧化应激的研究

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a free-living nematode, has emerged as an attractive model to study host-pathogen interactions. The presented ...

Isotropic Light-Sheet Microscopy and Automated Cell Lineage Analyses to Catalogue Caenorhabditis elegans Embryogenesis with Subcellular Resolution

亚细胞分辨率的各向同性光片显微镜及细胞自动动力学分析

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) stands out as the only organism in which the challenge of understanding the cellular origins of an entire nervous ...