Name: quantifying the heterogeneous distribution of a synaptic protein in the mouse brain using immunofluorescence
Uploaded: 2019-01-29T13:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 9 min 18 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence at JoVE.com

We thank Irmgard Weiss for excellent technical assistance. The authors acknowledge support by Hermes Pofantis and Andoniya Petkova. The authors also thank the European Neuroscience Institute for the usage of the LSM800 and technical assistance, especially by Dr. Nils Halbsgut. This work was funded by the University Medical Center G&#246;ttingen. JSV acknowledges support by the Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB).

This protocol does not involve experiments on live animals. Experiments involving euthanizing of animals to obtain brain samples were approved by the local animal protection authorities (Tierschutzkommission der Universit&#228;tsmedizin G&#246;ttingen) under the approval number T 10/30.
NOTE: For this protocol, 3 adult male C57BL/6 mice were used.
1. Sample Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare fixative and 0.1 M phosphate buffer (PB; see Table 1).</li>
	<li>Fix the animal by transcardial perfusion as described in Gage et al.28. First wash out the blood with 0.9% NaCl-solution, then perfuse with 30 mL of 4% paraformaldehyde (PFA).</li>
	<li>Open the skull with scissors and carefully isolate the brain using a spoon with blunt edges to avoid damaging the tissue.</li>
	<li>Fill a 50 mL reaction tube with fixative and postfix the brain in 4% PFA at 4 &#176;C overnight.</li>
	<li>Remove the fixative and wash the brain in 50 mL of 0.1 M PB on a shaker for 30 min.</li>
	<li>After washing, incubate the brain in a 50 mL reaction tube in 30% sucrose in 0.1 M PB for 48 h or until it sinks in the tube at 4 &#176;C for cryoprotection.</li>
	<li>Trim the cryoprotected brain with a sharp blade, place it in a cryomold, and embed it with optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound. Avoid bubbles. Orient the brain and freeze the cryomold in the -80 &#176;C freezer.</li>
	<li>Mount the frozen tissue for sectioning. Equilibrate the tissue to the cryomicrotome temperature for at least 15 min before sectioning.</li>
	<li>Section the brain into 25 &#181;m thick coronal slices. Touch the OCT carefully with a glass hook without touching the brain tissue. Collect 3 adjacent slices per well in a 24 well plate and store them in 0.1 M PB at 4 &#176;C until staining. 
	NOTE: The protocol can be paused here for up to two weeks. Longer storage times can interfere with the tissue quality and thus influence the outcome of the experiment.</li>
</ol>
2. Immunofluorescence
<ol>
	<li>Prepare solutions including the blocking buffer, antibody buffer, washing buffer 1, and washing buffer 2 (see Table 1).</li>
	<li>Rinse slices once with PB to remove excess OCT.
	<ol>
		<li>Remove the solution with a plastic pipette without sucking in the brain slices. Add 250 &#181;L of fresh PB with a 1000 &#181;L pipette. 
		CAUTION: Slices should not dry out, so remove and add fluids well by well.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Remove the PB with a plastic pipette and add 250 &#181;L of blocking buffer per well with a 1000 &#181;L pipette. Incubate for 3 h at room temperature (RT) on the shaker.</li>
	<li>During the incubation time, dilute the primary antibodies in antibody buffer in a reaction tube. Use 250 &#181;L antibody buffer per well and add the appropriate amount of antibody (see Table 2) by pipetting it directly into the solution using a 2 &#181;L pipette. Mix the solution by gently pipetting up and down several times. Vortex shortly afterwards to ensure proper mixing. 
	NOTE: To determine the background fluorescence, stainings should also be performed without adding the primary antibody. For that, incubate the slice in antibody solution without primary antibodies according to the protocol.</li>
	<li>After the incubation time, remove the blocking buffer with a plastic pipette and add 250 &#181;L of antibody solution containing primary antibodies per well. Incubate slices with primary antibody overnight at 4 &#176;C on a shaker.</li>
	<li>Next day, wash the slices with washing buffer 1 3x for 10 min at RT on a shaker.
	<ol>
		<li>Remove the medium with a plastic pipette and add 300 &#181;L of washing buffer 1 per well. Incubate at RT for 10 min. Repeat 3 times.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>During the washing steps, dilute the fluorophore-coupled secondary antibodies in antibody buffer in a reaction tube. Use 250 &#181;L antibody buffer per well and add the appropriate amount of antibody (see Table 2) by pipetting it directly into the solution using a 2 &#181;L pipette. Mix the solution by gently pipetting up and down several times. Vortex shortly afterwards to ensure proper mixing. 
	CAUTION: Because the antibodies are light-sensitive, all steps from this point on need to be performed in the dark.</li>
	<li>After the washing steps, remove the washing buffer with a plastic pipette and add 250 &#181;L of antibody solution containing secondary antibodies per well. Incubate the slices with secondary antibody for 90 min at RT in the dark.</li>
	<li>Wash the slices with washing buffer 2 3x for 10 min at RT.</li>
	<li>During the washing steps, dilute 4&#8242;,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) in 0.1 M PB in a concentration of 1:2000.</li>
	<li>Remove the washing buffer 2 with a plastic pipette and add 250 &#181;L of DAPI solution per well. Incubate for 5 min at RT on the shaker.</li>
	<li>Remove the DAPI solution with a plastic pipette and add 500 &#181;L of 0.1 M PB per well with a 1000 &#181;L pipette.</li>
	<li>Mount slices on microscope slides.
	<ol>
		<li>Place a microscope slide under the stereoscope. With a fine brush, add three separate drops of 0.1 M PB onto the slide. Place one slice per drop onto the microscope slide.</li>
		<li>Use the fine brush to flatten and orient the slices on the microscope slide.</li>
		<li>When all slices are positioned correctly, remove excess PB with a tissue and dry the slide carefully. 
		CAUTION: Avoid drying the brain slices completely.</li>
		<li>Add 80 &#181;L of embedding medium onto the slide. Carefully lower the coverslip onto the slide, thereby embedding the brain slices.</li>
		<li>Leave the slides to dry in the fume hood for 1-2 h (cover them to avoid light exposure) and store them in a microscope slide box at 4 &#176;C. 
		NOTE: The protocol can be paused here.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Imaging
<ol>
	<li>After the embedding medium is completely hardened, place the microscope slide under the confocal microscope. 
	NOTE: Epifluorescence microscopy combined with deconvolution software should yield similar image quality.</li>
	<li>Adjust the laser settings by increasing or decreasing the laser intensity for every channel so that few pixels are overexposed to ensure maximum distribution of grey values.</li>
	<li>Acquire virtual tissues of the whole brain slice for the different channels.
	<ol>
		<li>In the imaging software (see Table of Materials), select the Tiles option and manually delineate the brain slice with the Tile Region Setup.</li>
		<li>Distribute support points throughout the tile region and adjust the focus for the different support points by pressing Verify Tile Regions/Positions&#8230;.</li>
		<li>Adjust the settings in Acquisition Mode according to the desired resolution and file size of the resulting image and start the scan.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>When the scan is finished, use the Stitching function to process the virtual tissue. Export the file as a .tif with the function Image Export.</li>
</ol>
4. Computer-based Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Load all single channels for one image into FIJI29 by clicking File| Open.</li>
	<li>With the Freehand selection tool, delineate one hemisphere in the DAPI-channel. Create a mask of the selection by clicking Edit| Selection| Create mask.</li>
	<li>Determine the mean fluorescence intensity for the single channels (Mover and synaptophysin) by clicking Analyze| Measure. 
	NOTE: Make sure to select the different channels to determine the mean fluorescence intensity values for each channel.</li>
	<li>Copy the mean fluorescence intensity for the single channels into a spreadsheet.</li>
	<li>Determine the mean fluorescence intensity for the single channels in an area of interest by delineating the area also with the Freehand selection tool. Use a mouse brain atlas as reference.</li>
	<li>Repeat steps 4.1-4.5 for all hemispheres and all areas of interest. 
	NOTE: Determine the values for each hemisphere separately in order to later compare the values in an area of interest to that in the hemisphere (see step 5.2).</li>
</ol>
5. Data Handling
<ol>
	<li>In case the background fluorescence is high (see Discussion), a background subtraction might be needed. For that, determine the mean fluorescence intensity for the slice processed without primary antibody against the reference protein (here: synaptophysin) and subtract that value from all values obtained for the brain regions and hemispheres.</li>
	<li>When the mean fluorescence intensities for the single channels for every hemisphere and every area of interest have been determined (see Table 3), calculate the ratio of Mover to synaptophysin by dividing the value for Mover by the value for synaptophysin (yellow in Table 3). Perform this action for every hemisphere and every area of interest separately.</li>
	<li>Divide the ratio obtained for one area of interest by the ratio obtained for the corresponding hemisphere (orange in Table 3) to determine the ratio of the area of interest to the hemisphere.</li>
	<li>To determine the relative Mover abundance, translate the ratio obtained in 5.2 into a percentage by determining its deviation from 1 (red in Table 3). A ratio of 1.25 would therefore give a relative Mover abundance of 25% above average, and a ratio of 0.75 would yield a relative Mover abundance of 25% below average.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

The method presented here aims at quantifying the distribution of a protein of interest relative to the abundance of a marker protein with a known distribution. Immunofluorescence staining can show a high variability of staining intensities between different slices. The quantification approach described here circumvents this problem by determining the ratio of the protein of interest to the average across the hemisphere. Therefore, different staining intensities across slices are cancelled out and allow for a quantitativ...

Communication between neurons happens at specialized contact sites called synapses. Synapses contain a myriad of different proteins that orchestrate synaptic transmission. Some of those proteins show a heterogeneous distribution throughout the nervous system and are not present in every synapse1. One example for such a protein is Munc13, which is involved in the priming process of synaptic vesicles. There are different isoforms of Munc13, which are heterogeneously distributed throughout the brain2, and the presence or absence of specific isoforms can influence short-term synaptic plasticity and synaptic vesicle dynamics3,4,5. Therefore, it is of vital importance to be able to identify the presence of different synaptic proteins across brain areas.
The methods of choice for quantification of synaptic proteins - so far - are mass spectrometry and Western blotting, rather than immunohistochemistry6,7,8,9. In some cases, several methods are used to complement each other to assess both the quantity and the localization of specific proteins (i.e., Wilhelm et al.10). The method we describe here allows for the localization and quantification of proteins of interest without the need of using any biochemical method, simply employing immunofluorescent stainings. Another advantage here is that the quantification can be done over areas much smaller and, therefore, more specific, than those achieved by other methods. However, one has to take into consideration that a reliable reference protein is needed to assess the distribution of the protein of interest.
Fluorescent staining by immunohistochemistry allows us to routinely identify the localization of proteins across brain areas as well as within different neuronal compartments. To identify the different compartments, specific markers are used. Typically, antibodies against synapsin and synaptophysin11 can be used to label synaptic vesicles, while antibodies against bassoon label the active zone of a presynaptic terminal12. Vesicular transporters, such as the vesicular glutamate transporters (vGluT) or vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT), are used to label excitatory13 and inhibitory14 presynaptic terminals, respectively. On the postsynaptic side, antibodies against the Homer protein can be employed to mark postsynaptic terminals, and antibodies against postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95)15,16,17 or gephyrin18,19,20 can label excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic terminals, respectively. By using antibodies against a protein of interest and markers such as the ones described above, one can determine the localization of such protein. Many studies to date have done this in a qualitative manner21. However, to reliably determine the differential distribution of a specific synaptic protein, one must not only determine its presence or absence but also its relative concentration. The heterogeneity of sizes and density of synapses makes it important to establish a ratio between the synaptic marker and the protein of interest. Otherwise, synapse-rich regions such as the non-pyramidal layers of the hippocampus and the molecular layer of the cerebellum will show a high density of synaptic proteins, only due to the higher density of synapses but not due to a strong presence of that protein in each synapse (e.g., Wallrafen and Dresbach1). On the other hand, proteins in the neuronal soma (e.g., TGN3822) will usually show strong presence in the hippocampal pyramidal cell layer or hippocampal or cerebellar granule cell layer due to the high concentration of neuronal cell bodies in those areas. Therefore, this non-homogeneous distribution of structures, in this case synapses, can lead to a false estimation of the distribution of the protein of interest itself. Furthermore, there is an intrinsic variability in staining intensities across samples in immunohistochemical stainings. The protocol described here takes this into consideration and avoids such biases, as well as other caveats that arise from immunohistochemical methods.
In our recent study, we have used this method to describe the differential expression of Mover (also called TPRGL23 or SVAP3024) across 16 different brain areas1. Mover is a vertebrate-specific synaptic protein that can be found in association to synaptic vesicles and influences neurotransmitter release25,26,27. We have related the Mover expression to the abundance of synaptic vesicles, by staining for synaptophysin as a synaptic vesicle reference marker. We found high levels of Mover particularly in the septal nuclei, the ventral pallidum, and the amygdala. Within the hippocampus, we found a heterogeneous distribution of Mover, with high levels in the layers associated with intra-hippocampal computation, and low levels in input- and output layers.

<table><tbody><tr><td>1.5 mL reaction tubes</td><td>Eppendorf</td><td>30120094</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>50 mL reaction tubes</td><td>Greiner Bio-One</td><td>227261</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>multiwell 24 well</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 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10144633CF</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Stereoscope</td><td>Leica</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>LSM800</td><td>Zeiss</td><td></td><td>Confocal microscope</td></tr><tr><td>freezing microtome</td><td>Leica</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PBS (10X)</td><td>Roche</td><td>&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 11666789001</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PFA</td><td>Sigma</td><td>&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; P6148-1kg</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NaCl</td><td>BioFroxx</td><td>1394KG001</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>sucrose</td><td>neoFroxx</td><td>1104KG001</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tissue Tek</td><td>Sakura&amp;nbsp;</td><td>4583</td><td>OCT</td></tr><tr><td>Na2HPO4</td><td>BioFroxx</td><td>5155KG001</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NaH2PO4</td><td>Merck</td><td>1,063,460,500</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>normal goat serum</td><td>Merck Millipore</td><td>S26-100ML</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>normal donkey serum</td><td>Merck</td><td>S30-100ML</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Triton X-100</td><td>Merck</td><td>1,086,031,000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>rabbit anti-Mover</td><td>Synaptic Systems</td><td>RRID: AB_10804285</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>guinea pig anti-Synaptophysin</td><td>Synaptic Systems</td><td>RRID: AB_1210382</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>donkey anti-rabbit AF647</td><td>Jackson ImmunoResearch</td><td>RRID: AB_2492288</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>goat anti-mouse AF488</td><td>Jackson ImmunoResearch</td><td>RRID: AB_2337438</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mowiol4-88</td><td>Calbiochem</td><td>&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; 475904</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ZEN2 blue software</td><td>Zeiss</td><td></td><td>Microscopy software</td></tr><tr><td>FIJI</td><td>ImageJ</td><td></td><td>Analysis software</td></tr><tr><td>Microsoft Excel</td><td>Microsoft</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

quantifying the heterogeneous distribution of a synaptic protein in the mouse brain using immunofluorescence

The presence, absence, or levels of specific synaptic proteins can severely influence synaptic transmission. In addition to elucidating the function of a protein, it is vital to also determine its distribution. Here, we describe a protocol employing immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and computer-based analysis to determine the distribution of the synaptic protein Mover (also called TPRGL or SVAP30). We compare the distribution of Mover to that of the synaptic vesicle protein synaptophysin, thereby determining the distribution of Mover in a quantitative manner relative to the abundance of synaptic vesicles. Notably, this method could potentially be implemented to allow for comparison of the distribution of proteins using different antibodies or microscopes or across different studies. Our method circumvents the inherent variability of immunofluorescent stainings by yielding a ratio rather than absolute fluorescence levels. Additionally, the method we describe enables the researcher to analyze the distribution of a protein on different levels: from whole brain slices to brain regions to different subregions in one brain area, such as the different layers of the hippocampus or sensory cortices. Mover is a vertebrate-specific protein that is associated with synaptic vesicles. With this method, we show that Mover is heterogeneously distributed across brain areas, with high levels in the ventral pallidum, the septal nuclei, and the amygdala, and also within single brain areas, such as the different layers of the hippocampus.

Representative staining patterns of different markers can be seen in Figure 1. The pattern varies depending on the distribution of the protein. Examples of five rostro-caudal levels are shown in columns (A)-(E). A representative DAPI staining is shown in the first row: DAPI adheres to the DNA of a cell and thus nuclei are stained. This results in a punctate pattern. Regions with a high cell density are brighter than regions w...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence at JoVE.com

Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence

Here, we describe a quantitative approach to determining the distribution of a synaptic protein relative to a marker protein using immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, and computer-based analysis.

The presence, absence, or levels of specific synaptic proteins can severely influence synaptic transmission. In addition to elucidating the function of a ...

quantifying-heterogeneous-distribution-synaptic-protein-mouse-brain

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

7.9K Views.  University Medical Center Göttingen. Here, we describe a quantitative approach to determining the distribution of a synaptic protein relative to a marker protein using immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, and computer-based analysis.

Video: Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

One of the most important goals in neuroscience is to understand the molecular cues that instruct early stages of synapse formation. As such it has become imperative to develop objective approaches to quantify changes in synaptic connectivity. Starting from sample fixation, this protocol details how to quantify synapse number both in dissociated neuronal culture and in brain sections using immunocytochemistry. Using compartment-specific antibodies, we label presynaptic terminals as well as sites of postsynaptic specialization. We define synapses as points of colocalization between the signals generated by these markers. The number of these colocalizations is quantified using a plug in Puncta Analyzer (written by Bary Wark, available upon request, c.eroglu@cellbio.duke.edu) under the ImageJ analysis software platform. The synapse assay described in this protocol can be applied to any neural tissue or culture preparation for which you have selective pre- and postsynaptic markers. This synapse assay is a valuable tool that can be widely utilized in the study of synaptic development.

This protocol details how to quantify synapse number both in dissociated neuronal culture and in brain sections using immunocytochemistry. Using compartment-specific antibodies, we label presynaptic terminals as well as sites of postsynaptic specialization. We define synapses as points of colocalization between the signals generated by these markers.

One of the most important goals in neuroscience is to understand the molecular cues that instruct early stages of synapse formation. As such it has become ...

Automated Quantification of Synaptic Fluorescence in C. elegans

Synapse strength refers to the amplitude of postsynaptic responses to presynaptic neurotransmitter release events, and has a major impact on overall neural circuit function. Synapse strength critically depends on the abundance of neurotransmitter receptors clustered at synaptic sites on the postsynaptic membrane. Receptor levels are established developmentally, and can be altered by receptor trafficking between surface-localized, subsynaptic, and intracellular pools, representing important mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation. Rigorous methods to quantify synaptically-localized neurotransmitter receptor abundance are essential to study synaptic development and plasticity. Fluorescence microscopy is an optimal approach because it preserves spatial information, distinguishing synaptic from non-synaptic pools, and discriminating among receptor populations localized to different types of synapses. The genetic model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is particularly well suited for these studies due to the small size and relative simplicity of its nervous system, its transparency, and the availability of powerful genetic techniques, allowing examination of native synapses in intact animals.
Here we present a method for quantifying fluorescently-labeled synaptic neurotransmitter receptors in C. elegans. Its key feature is the automated identification and analysis of individual synapses in three dimensions in multi-plane confocal microscope output files, tabulating position, volume, fluorescence intensity, and total fluorescence for each synapse. This approach has two principal advantages over manual analysis of z-plane projections of confocal data. First, because every plane of the confocal data set is included, no data are lost through z-plane projection, typically based on pixel intensity averages or maxima. Second, identification of synapses is automated, but can be inspected by the experimenter as the data analysis proceeds, allowing fast and accurate extraction of data from large numbers of synapses. Hundreds to thousands of synapses per sample can easily be obtained, producing large data sets to maximize statistical power. Considerations for preparing C. elegans for analysis, and performing confocal imaging to minimize variability between animals within treatment groups are also discussed. Although developed to analyze C. elegans postsynaptic receptors, this method is generally useful for any type of synaptically-localized protein, or indeed, any fluorescence signal that is localized to discrete clusters, puncta, or organelles.
The procedure is performed in three steps: 1) preparation of samples, 2) confocal imaging, and 3) image analysis. Steps 1 and 2 are specific to C. elegans, while step 3 is generally applicable to any punctate fluorescence signal in confocal micrographs.

Automated Quantification of Synaptic Fluorescence in C. elegans

The abundance of neurotransmitter receptors clustered at synapses strongly influences synaptic strength. This method quantifies fluorescently-labeled neurotransmitter receptors in three dimensions with single-synapse resolution in C. elegans, allowing hundreds of synapses to be rapidly characterized within a single sample without distortions introduced by z-plane projection.

Synapse strength refers to the amplitude of postsynaptic responses to presynaptic neurotransmitter release events, and has a major impact on overall ...

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

In the brain, synapses are specialized junctions between neurons, determining the strength and spread of neuronal signaling. The number of synapses is tightly regulated during development and neuronal maturation. Importantly, deficits in synapse number can lead to cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, the evaluation of synapse number is an integral part of neurobiology. However, as synapses are small and highly compact in the intact brain, the assessment of absolute number is challenging. This protocol describes a method to easily identify and evaluate synapses in hippocampal rodent slices using immunofluorescence microscopy. It includes a three-step procedure to evaluate synapses in high-quality confocal microscopy images by analyzing the co-localization of pre- and postsynaptic proteins in hippocampal slices. It also explains how the analysis is performed and gives representative examples from both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. This protocol provides a solid foundation for the analysis of synapses and can be applied to any research investigating the structure and function of the brain.

A protocol for accurately identifying and analyzing synapses in hippocampal slices using immunofluorescence is outlined in this article.

In the brain, synapses are specialized junctions between neurons, determining the strength and spread of neuronal signaling. The number of synapses is ...

Immunofluorescence Staining Using IBA1 and TMEM119 for Microglial Density, Morphology and Peripheral Myeloid Cell Infiltration Analysis in Mouse Brain

This is a protocol for the dual visualization of microglia and infiltrating macrophages in mouse brain tissue. TMEM119 (which labels microglia selectively), when combined with IBA1 (which provides an exceptional visualization of their morphology), allows investigation of changes in density, distribution, and morphology. Quantifying these parameters is important in providing insights into the roles exerted by microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain. Under normal physiological conditions, microglia are regularly distributed in a mosaic-like pattern and present a small soma with ramified processes. Nevertheless, as a response to environmental factors (i.e., trauma, infection, disease, or injury), microglial density, distribution, and morphology are altered in various manners, depending on the insult. Additionally, the described double-staining method allows visualization of infiltrating macrophages in the brain based on their expression of IBA1 and without colocalization with TMEM119. This approach thus allows discrimination between microglia and infiltrating macrophages, which is required to provide functional insights into their distinct involvement in brain homeostasis across various contexts of health and disease. This protocol integrates the latest findings in neuroimmunology that pertain to the identification of selective markers. It also serves as a useful tool for both experienced neuroimmunologists and researchers seeking to integrate neuroimmunology into projects.

This protocol describes a step-by-step workflow for immunofluorescent costaining of IBA1 and TMEM119, in addition to analysis of microglial density, distribution, and morphology, as well as peripheral myeloid cell infiltration in mouse brain tissue.

This is a protocol for the dual visualization of microglia and infiltrating macrophages in mouse brain tissue. TMEM119 (which labels microglia ...

Immunology and Infection

Using Near-infrared Fluorescence and High-resolution Scanning to Measure Protein Expression in the Rodent Brain

Neuroscience is the study of how cells in the brain mediate various functions. Measuring protein expression in neurons and glia is critical for the study of neuroscience as cellular function is determined by the composition and activity of cellular proteins. In this article, we describe how immunocytochemistry can be combined with near-infrared high-resolution scanning to provide a semi-quantitative measure of protein expression in distinct brain regions. This technique can be used for single or double protein expression in the same brain region. Measuring proteins in this fashion can be used to obtain a relative change in protein expression with an experimental manipulation, molecular signature of learning and memory, activity in molecular pathways, and neural activity in multiple brain regions. Using the correct proteins and statistical analysis, functional connectivity among brain regions can be determined as well. Given the ease of implementing immunocytochemistry in a laboratory, using immunocytochemistry with near-infrared high-resolution scanning can expand the ability of the neuroscientist to examine neurobiological processes at a systems level.

Here, we present a protocol that uses near-infrared dyes in conjunction with immunohistochemistry and high-resolution scanning to assay proteins in brain regions.

Neuroscience is the study of how cells in the brain mediate various functions. Measuring protein expression in neurons and glia is critical for the study ...

Quantitative Measurement of Intrathecally Synthesized Proteins in Mice

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a fluid found in the brain and the spinal cord, is of great importance to both basic and clinical science. The analysis of the CSF protein composition delivers crucial information in basic neuroscience research as well as neurological diseases. One caveat is that proteins measured in CSF may derive from both intrathecal synthesis and transudation from serum, and protein analysis of CSF can only determine the sum of these two components. To discriminate between protein transudation from the blood and intrathecally produced proteins in animal models as well as in humans, CSF protein profiling measurements using conventional protein analysis tools must include the calculation of the albumin CSF/serum quotient (Qalbumin), a marker of the integrity of the blood-brain interface (BBI), and the protein index (Qprotein/Qalbumin), an estimate of intrathecal protein synthesis. This protocol illustrates the entire procedure, from CSF and blood collection to quotients and indices calculations, for the quantitative measurement of intrathecal protein synthesis and BBI impairment in mouse models of neurological disorders.

Elevated spinal fluid protein levels can either be the result of diffusion of plasma protein across an altered blood-brain barrier or intrathecal synthesis. An optimized testing protocol is presented in this article that helps to discriminate both cases and provides quantitative measurements of intrathecally synthesized proteins.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a fluid found in the brain and the spinal cord, is of great importance to both basic and clinical science. The analysis of the ...

Combining Multiplex Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry on Fresh Frozen or Fixed Mouse Brain Sections

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular technique that identifies the presence and spatial distribution of specific RNA transcripts within cells. Neurochemical phenotyping of functionally identified neurons usually requires concurrent labelling with multiple antibodies (targeting protein) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and optimization of in situ hybridization (targeting RNA), in tandem. A &#34;neurochemical signature&#34; to characterize particular neurons may be achieved however complicating factors include the need to verify FISH and IHC targets before combining the methods, and the limited number of RNAs and proteins that may be targeted simultaneously within the same tissue section.
Here we describe a protocol, using both fresh frozen and fixed mouse brain preparations, which detects multiple mRNAs and proteins in the same brain section using RNAscope FISH followed by fluorescence immunostaining, respectively. We use the combined method to describe the expression pattern of low abundance mRNAs (e.g., galanin receptor 1) and high abundance mRNAs (e.g., glycine transporter 2), in immunohistochemically identified brainstem nuclei.
Key considerations for protein labelling downstream of the FISH assay extend beyond tissue preparation and optimization of FISH probe labelling. For example, we found that antibody binding and labelling specificity can be detrimentally affected by the protease step within the FISH probe assay. Proteases catalyze hydrolytic cleavage of peptide bonds, facilitating FISH probe entry into cells, however they may also digest the protein targeted by the subsequent IHC assay, producing off target binding. The subcellular location of the targeted protein is another factor contributing to IHC success following FISH probe assay. We observed IHC specificity to be retained when the targeted protein is membrane bound, whereas IHC targeting cytoplasmic protein required extensive troubleshooting. Finally, we found handling of slide-mounted fixed frozen tissue more challenging than fresh frozen tissue, however IHC quality was overall better with fixed frozen tissue, when combined with RNAscope.

Combining Multiplex Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry on Fresh Frozen or Fixed Mouse Brain Sections

This protocol describes a method for combining fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and fluorescence immunohistochemistry (IHC) in both fresh frozen and fixed mouse brain sections, with the goal of achieving multilabel FISH and fluorescence IHC signal. IHC targeted cytoplasmic and membrane attached proteins.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular technique that identifies the presence and spatial distribution of specific RNA transcripts within ...

Full- versus Sub-Regional Quantification of Amyloid-Beta Load on Mouse Brain Sections

Extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (A&#946;) plaques is one of the major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and is the target of the only FDA-approved disease-modifying treatment for AD. Accordingly, the use of transgenic mouse models that overexpress the amyloid precursor protein and thereby accumulate cerebral A&#946; plaques are widely used to model human AD in mice. Therefore, immunoassays, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunostaining, commonly measure the A&#946; load in brain tissues derived from AD transgenic mice. Though the methods for A&#946; detection and quantification have been well established and documented, the impact of the size of the region of interest selected in the brain tissue on A&#946; load measurements following immunostaining has not been reported. Therefore, the current protocol aimed to compare the A&#946; load measurements across the full- and sub-regions of interest using an image analysis software. The steps involved in brain tissue preparation, free-floating brain section immunostaining, imaging, and quantification of A&#946; load in full- versus sub-regions of interest are described using brain sections derived from 13-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic male mice. The current protocol and the results provide valuable information about the impact of the size of the region of interest on A&#946;-positive area quantification, and show a strong correlation between the A&#946;-positive area obtained using the full- and sub-regions of interest analyses for brain sections derived from 13-month-old male APP/PS1 mice that show widespread A&#946; deposition.

The present protocol describes and compares the procedure to perform a full-region or sub-region of interest analysis of sagittal mouse brain sections to quantify amyloid-beta load in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (A&#946;) plaques is one of the major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and is the target of ...

Quantifying the Distribution of a Presynaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence

Source: Wallrafen, R., et al. <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/58940">Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2019).
This video demonstrates the immunofluorescence staining of a mouse brain slice to quantify the distribution of a specific presynaptic protein. The process involves blocking nonspecific sites, applying primary antibodies for the target protein and a reference marker, followed by secondary antibody labeling and nuclear counterstaining. The reference marker ensures accurate quantification by providing a consistent baseline, and the distribution of the presynaptic protein is analyzed across brain regions using confocal microscopy.

All procedures involving animal samples have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate animal ethical review committee.
1. Immunofluorescence

	...

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Neuropathology

Trauma

Microscopic Analysis of Synapses in Mouse Hippocampal Slices Using Immunofluorescence

<a href='https://app.jove.com/v/56153/evaluation-of-synapse-density-in-hippocampal-rodent-brain-slices'>Source: McLeod, F., et al. Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices. J. Vis. Exp. (2017).</a>This video demonstrates a method for visualizing synaptic markers in hippocampal brain slices using confocal immunofluorescence analysis. The slices are immunostained with primary antibodies targeting presynaptic and postsynaptic markers, followed by fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies. The labeled markers are then visualized using confocal microscopy to evaluate the synaptic architecture through their colocalization.

Source: McLeod, F., et al. Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices. J. Vis. Exp. (2017).This video demonstrates a method for ...

Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence

Summary

Explore More Videos

Chapters in this video

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Automated Quantification of Synaptic Fluorescence in C. elegans

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Immunofluorescence Staining Using IBA1 and TMEM119 for Microglial Density, Morphology and Peripheral Myeloid Cell Infiltration Analysis in Mouse Brain

Using Near-infrared Fluorescence and High-resolution Scanning to Measure Protein Expression in the Rodent Brain

Quantitative Measurement of Intrathecally Synthesized Proteins in Mice

Combining Multiplex Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry on Fresh Frozen or Fixed Mouse Brain Sections

Full- versus Sub-Regional Quantification of Amyloid-Beta Load on Mouse Brain Sections

Quantifying the Distribution of a Presynaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence

Microscopic Analysis of Synapses in Mouse Hippocampal Slices Using Immunofluorescence