Name: a facs-based protocol to isolate rna from the secondary cells of drosophila male accessory glands
Uploaded: 2019-09-05T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A FACS-based Protocol to Isolate RNA from the Secondary Cells of Drosophila Male Accessory Glands at JoVE.com

We are grateful to the members of the Karch lab, to the iGE3 genomics plateform, to the Flow Cytometry core facility of the University of Geneva, and to Dr. Jean-Pierre Aubry-Lachainaye who set the protocol for FACS. We thank Luca Stickley for his help with visualizing the reads on IGV. We thank ourselves for gentle permission to reuse figures, and the editors for prompting us to be creative with writing.
This research was funded by the State of Geneva (CI, RKM, FK), the Swiss National Fund for Research (www.snf.ch) (FK and RKM) and donations from the Claraz Foundation (FK).

1. Drosophila Lines Used and Collection of Males
<ol>
	<li>For this protocol, use males expressing GFP in the SCs and not the main cells. Here, an AbdB-GAL4 driver (described in reference18), recombined with UAS-GFP (on chromosome 2) is used. Other appropriate drivers can also be used. For isolation of SCs under different mutant conditions, cross the mutation into lines containing the SC-specific GFP line.</li>
	<li>Collect two batches of about 25 healthy, virgin males...

<ol>
	<li>Avila, F. W., Sirot, L. K., LaFlamme, B. A., Rubinstein, C. D., Wolfner, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insect+seminal+fluid+proteins:+identification+and+function.">Insect seminal fluid proteins: identification and function.</a> Annual Review of Entomology. 56, 21-40 (2011).</li><li>Carmel, I., Tram, U., Heifetz, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mating+induces+developmental+changes+in+the+insect+female+reproductive+tract.">Mating induces developmental changes in the insect female reproductive tract.</a> Current Opinion in Insect Science. 13, 106-113 (2016).</li><li>League, G. P., Baxter, L. L., Wolfner, M. F., Harrington, L. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Male+accessory+gland+molecules+inhibit+harmonic+convergence+in+the+mosquito+Aedes+aegypti.">Male accessory gland molecules inhibit harmonic convergence in the mosquito Aedes aegypti.</a> Current Biology. 29 (6), R196-R197 (2019).</li><li>Degner, E. C., 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=Proteins,+Transcripts,+and+Genetic+Architecture+of+Seminal+Fluid+and+Sperm+in+the+Mosquito+Aedes+aegypti.">Proteins, Transcripts, and Genetic Architecture of Seminal Fluid and Sperm in the Mosquito Aedes aegypti.</a> Molecular &amp; Cellular Proteomics. 18 (Suppl 1), S6-S22 (2019).</li><li>Wedell, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Female+receptivity+in+butterflies+and+moths.">Female receptivity in butterflies and moths.</a> Journal of Experimental Biology. 208 (Pt 18), 3433-3440 (2005).</li><li>Laflamme, B. A., Wolfner, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+and+function+of+proteolysis+regulators+in+seminal+fluid.">Identification and function of proteolysis regulators in seminal fluid.</a> Molecular Reproduction and Development. 80 (2), 80-101 (2013).</li><li>Wilson, C., Leiblich, A., Goberdhan, D. C., Hamdy, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Drosophila+Accessory+Gland+as+a+Model+for+Prostate+Cancer+and+Other+Pathologies.">The Drosophila Accessory Gland as a Model for Prostate Cancer and Other Pathologies.</a> Current Topics in Developmental Biology. 121, 339-375 (2017).</li><li>Kubli, E., Bopp, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sexual+behavior:+how+Sex+Peptide+flips+the+postmating+switch+of+female+flies.">Sexual behavior: how Sex Peptide flips the postmating switch of female flies.</a> Current Biology. 22 (13), R520-R522 (2012).</li><li>Kubli, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sex-peptides:+seminal+peptides+of+the+Drosophila+male.">Sex-peptides: seminal peptides of the Drosophila male.</a> Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 60 (8), 1689-1704 (2003).</li><li>Liu, H., Kubli, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sex-peptide+is+the+molecular+basis+of+the+sperm+effect+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Sex-peptide is the molecular basis of the sperm effect in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 100 (17), 9929-9933 (2003).</li><li>Ram, K. R., Wolfner, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sustained+post-mating+response+in+Drosophila+melanogaster+requires+multiple+seminal+fluid+proteins.">Sustained post-mating response in Drosophila melanogaster requires multiple seminal fluid proteins.</a> PLoS Genetics. 3 (12), e238 (2007).</li><li>Sitnik, J. L., Gligorov, D., Maeda, R. K., Karch, F., Wolfner, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Female+Post-Mating+Response+Requires+Genes+Expressed+in+the+Secondary+Cells+of+the+Male+Accessory+Gland+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">The Female Post-Mating Response Requires Genes Expressed in the Secondary Cells of the Male Accessory Gland in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Genetics. 202 (3), 1029-1041 (2016).</li><li>Avila, F. W., Wolfner, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acp36DE+is+required+for+uterine+conformational+changes+in+mated+Drosophila+females.">Acp36DE is required for uterine conformational changes in mated Drosophila females.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 106 (37), 15796-15800 (2009).</li><li>Adams, E. M., Wolfner, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Seminal+proteins+but+not+sperm+induce+morphological+changes+in+the+Drosophila+melanogaster+female+reproductive+tract+during+sperm+storage.">Seminal proteins but not sperm induce morphological changes in the Drosophila melanogaster female reproductive tract during sperm storage.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 53 (4), 319-331 (2007).</li><li>Singh, 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=Long-term+interaction+between+Drosophila+sperm+and+sex+peptide+is+mediated+by+other+seminal+proteins+that+bind+only+transiently+to+sperm.">Long-term interaction between Drosophila sperm and sex peptide is mediated by other seminal proteins that bind only transiently to sperm.</a> Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 102, 43-51 (2018).</li><li>Avila, F. W., Wolfner, M. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cleavage+of+the+Drosophila+seminal+protein+Acp36DE+in+mated+females+enhances+its+sperm+storage+activity.">Cleavage of the Drosophila seminal protein Acp36DE in mated females enhances its sperm storage activity.</a> Journal of Insect Physiology. 101, 66-72 (2017).</li><li>Chapman, T., Davies, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functions+and+analysis+of+the+seminal+fluid+proteins+of+male+Drosophila+melanogaster+fruit+flies.">Functions and analysis of the seminal fluid proteins of male Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies.</a> Peptides. 25 (9), 1477-1490 (2004).</li><li>Gligorov, D., Sitnik, J. L., Maeda, R. K., Wolfner, M. F., Karch, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+function+for+the+Hox+gene+Abd-B+in+the+male+accessory+gland+regulates+the+long-term+female+post-mating+response+in+Drosophila.">A novel function for the Hox gene Abd-B in the male accessory gland regulates the long-term female post-mating response in Drosophila.</a> PLoS Genetics. 9 (3), e1003395 (2013).</li><li>Minami, R., 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=The+homeodomain+protein+defective+proventriculus+is+essential+for+male+accessory+gland+development+to+enhance+fecundity+in+Drosophila.">The homeodomain protein defective proventriculus is essential for male accessory gland development to enhance fecundity in Drosophila.</a> PLoS One. 7 (3), e32302 (2012).</li><li>Maeda, R. 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=The+lncRNA+male-specific+abdominal+plays+a+critical+role+in+Drosophila+accessory+gland+development+and+male+fertility.">The lncRNA male-specific abdominal plays a critical role in Drosophila accessory gland development and male fertility.</a> PLoS Genetics. 14 (7), e1007519 (2018).</li><li>Prince, E., 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=Rab-mediated+trafficking+in+the+secondary+cells+of+Drosophila+male+accessory+glands+and+its+role+in+fecundity.">Rab-mediated trafficking in the secondary cells of Drosophila male accessory glands and its role in fecundity.</a> Traffic. 20 (2), 137-151 (2019).</li><li>Robinson, M. D., Oshlack, 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+scaling+normalization+method+for+differential+expression+analysis+of+RNA-seq+data.">A scaling normalization method for differential expression analysis of RNA-seq data.</a> Genome Biology. 11 (3), R25 (2010).</li><li>Khan, S. J., Abidi, S. N., Tian, Y., Skinner, A., Smith-Bolton, R. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+rapid,+gentle+and+scalable+method+for+dissociation+and+fluorescent+sorting+of+imaginal+disc+cells+for+mRNA+sequencing.">A rapid, gentle and scalable method for dissociation and fluorescent sorting of imaginal disc cells for mRNA sequencing.</a> Fly (Austin). 10 (2), 73-80 (2016).</li><li>Corrigan, 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=BMP-regulated+exosomes+from+Drosophila+male+reproductive+glands+reprogram+female+behavior.">BMP-regulated exosomes from Drosophila male reproductive glands reprogram female behavior.</a> Journal of Cell Biology. 206 (5), 671-688 (2014).</li><li>Leiblich, 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=Bone+morphogenetic+protein-+and+mating-dependent+secretory+cell+growth+and+migration+in+the+Drosophila+accessory+gland.">Bone morphogenetic protein- and mating-dependent secretory cell growth and migration in the Drosophila accessory gland.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 109 (47), 19292-19297 (2012).</li><li>Kubo, 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=Nutrient+conditions+sensed+by+the+reproductive+organ+during+development+optimize+male+fecundity+in+Drosophila.">Nutrient conditions sensed by the reproductive organ during development optimize male fecundity in Drosophila.</a> Genes to Cells. 23 (7), 557-567 (2018).</li><li>Immarigeon, C., Karch, F., Maeda, R. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=FACS-based+isolation+and+RNA+extraction+of+Secondary+Cells+from+the+Drosophila+male+Accessory+Gland.">FACS-based isolation and RNA extraction of Secondary Cells from the Drosophila male Accessory Gland.</a> bioRxiv. , 630335 (2019).</li></ol>

Methods for cell dissociation from Drosophila tissue like imaginal discs are already described23. Our attempts to simply use these procedures on accessory glands failed, encouraging us to develop this new protocol. Protease digestion and mechanical trituration were critical steps we troubleshot for the success of the procedure, and we thus placed many notes in sections 2 to 5 to help experimenters to obtain satisfactory results. For dissociation to be successful, peptidases must reach the...

Organs are made up of multiple cell types, each with discrete functions and sometimes expressing vastly different sets of genes. To get a precise understanding of how an organ functions, it is often critical to study each distinct cell type that makes up this organ. One of the primary methods used to explore possible function is transcriptome analysis. This powerful method provides a snapshot of the gene expression in a cell, to reveal active processes and pathways. However, this type of analysis is often difficult for rare cell populations that must be purified from far more-abundant neighboring cells. For example, the Drosophila male accessory gland is an organ made up primarily of two secretory cell types. As the rarer of the two cell types comprises only 4% of the cells of this gland, the use of a cell-type specific transcriptome analysis had not been used to help determine the function of these cells.
Accessory glands (AGs) are organs of the male reproductive tract in insects. They are responsible for the production of most of the proteins of the seminal fluid (seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) and accessory gland proteins (ACPs)). Some of these SFPs are known to induce the physiological and behavioral responses in mated females, commonly called the post-mating response (PMR). Some of the PMRs include: an increased ovulation and egg-laying rate, the storage and release of sperm, a change in female diet, and a decrease in female receptivity to secondary courting males1,2. As insects impact many major societal issues from human health (as vectors for deadly diseases) to agriculture (insects can be pests, yet are critical for pollination and soil quality), understanding insect reproduction is an important area of research. The study of AGs and ACPs has been advanced significantly with the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. These studies have highlighted the role of AGs and some of the individual proteins that they produce in creating the PMR, impacting the work in other species like the disease vector Aedes aegypti3,4, and other insects1,5. Furthermore, as AGs secrete the constituents of the seminal fluid1,6 they are often thought of as the functional analog of the mammalian prostate gland and seminal vesicle. This function similarity combined with molecular similarities between the two tissue-types, have made the AGs a model for the prostate gland in flies7.
Within the Drosophila male, there are two lobes of accessory glands. Each lobe can be seen as a sac-like structure made up of a monolayer of secretory cells surrounding a central lumen, and wrapped by smooth muscles. As mentioned above, there are two morphologically, developmentally and functionally distinct secretory cell types making up this gland: the polygonal-shaped main cells (making up ~96% of the cells), and the larger, round secondary cells (SC) (making up the remaining 4% of cells, or about 40 cells per lobe). It has been shown that both cell types produce distinct sets of ACPs to induce and maintain the PMR. Most of the data obtained to date highlight the role of a single protein in triggering most of the characteristic behaviors of the PMR. This protein, the sex peptide, is a small, 36 amino acid peptide that is secreted by the main cells8,9,10. Although the sex peptide seems to play a major role in the PMR, other ACPs, produced by both the main and secondary cells, have also been shown to affect various aspects of the PMR11,12,13,14,15,16,17. For example, based on our current knowledge, the SCs, via the proteins they produce, seem to be required for the perpetuation of the SP signaling after the first day18.
Given the rarity of the SCs (only 80 cells per male), all our knowledge about these cells and the proteins they produce comes from genetics and candidate approaches. Thus far, only a relatively small list of genes has been shown to be SC-specific. This list includes the homeodomain protein Defective proventriculus (Dve)19, the lncRNA MSA20, Rab6, 7, 11 and 1921, CG1656 and CG1757511,15,21 and the homeobox transcription factor Abdominal-B (Abd-B)18. Previously, we have shown that a mutant deficient for both the expression of Abd-B and the lncRNA MSA in secondary cells (iab-6cocuD1 mutant) shortens the length of the PMR from ~10 days to only one day12,18,20. This phenotype seems to be caused by the improper storage of SP in the female reproductive tract12,18,20. At the cellular level, the secondary cells of this mutant show abnormal morphology, losing their characteristic vacuole-like structures18,20,21. Using this mutant line, we previously attempted to identify genes involved in SC function by comparing the transcriptional profiles of whole AGs from either wild type or mutant accessory glands12. Also, other labs showed that SC number, morphology and vacuolar content depend on male diet, mating status and age21,25,26.
Although positive progress was made using these approaches, a full SC transcriptome was far from achieved. The rareness of these cells in this organ made it difficult to progress further even from wild type cells. For testing gene expression, changes in these cells after particular environmental stimuli would be even harder. Thus, a method for isolating and purifying SC RNA that was fast and simple enough to perform under different genetic backgrounds and environmental conditions was needed.
Both the Abd-B and MSA genes require a specific 1.1 kb enhancer from the Drosophila Bithorax Complex (called the D1 enhancer) for their expression in SCs18,20. This enhancer has previously been used to create a GAL4 driver that, when associated with a UAS-GFP, is able to drive strong GFP expression specifically in SCs. Thus, we used this line as the basis for a FACS protocol to isolate these cells from both wild type and iab-6cocuD1 AGs). As iab-6cocuD1 mutant SCs display a different cellular morphology, we show that this protocol can be used to isolate cells for the determination of their transcriptome from this rare cell type under vastly different conditions.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>24-wells Tissue Culture plate</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>734-2325</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Binocular microscope for dissection</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Binocular with light source for GFP</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bunsen</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Draq7 0.3 mM</td>
			<td>BioStatus</td>
			<td>DR71000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic microtubes 1.5 mL</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FACS</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>MoFlo Astrios</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine dissection forceps</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Foetal bovine serum</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10270-106</td>
			<td>heat inactivated prior to use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass dishes for dissection</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ice bucket</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImProm-II Reverse Transcription System</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>A3800</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MasterPure RNA Purification Kit</td>
			<td>Epicentre</td>
			<td>MCR85102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nextera XT kit</td>
			<td>illumina</td>
			<td></td>
			<td><a href="https://emea.illumina.com/products/by-type/sequencing-kits/library-prep-kits/nextera-xt-dna.html">https://emea.illumina.com/products/by-type/sequencing-kits/library-prep-kits/nextera-xt-dna.html</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P1000</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P20</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P200</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Papain</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>50U/mL stock</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>home made</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15070-063</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PolydT primers</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Random hexamer primers</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNA 6000 Pico kit</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Schneider&#8217;s Drosophila medium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>21720-001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SMARTer cDNA synthesis kit</td>
			<td>Takara</td>
			<td></td>
			<td><a href="https://www.takarabio.com/products/cdna-synthesis/cdna-synthesis-kits/smarter-cdna-synthesis-kits">https://www.takarabio.com/products/cdna-synthesis/cdna-synthesis-kits/smarter-cdna-synthesis-kits</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SYBR select Master mix for CFX</td>
			<td>applied biosystems</td>
			<td>4472942</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermo Shaker</td>
			<td>Hangzhou Allsheng intruments</td>
			<td>MS-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tipone 1250 &#956;l graduated tip</td>
			<td>Starlab</td>
			<td>S1161-1820</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tipone 200 &#956;l bevelled tip</td>
			<td>Starlab</td>
			<td>S1161-1800</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TrypLE Express Enzyme</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>12604013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vortex</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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a facs-based protocol to isolate rna from the secondary cells of drosophila male accessory glands

To understand the function of an organ, it is often useful to understand the role of its constituent cell populations. Unfortunately, the rarity of individual cell populations often makes it difficult to obtain enough material for molecular studies. For example, the accessory gland of the Drosophila male reproductive system contains two distinct secretory cell types. The main cells make up 96% of the secretory cells of the gland, while the secondary cells (SC) make up the remaining 4% of cells (about 80 cells per male). Although both cell types produce important components of the seminal fluid, only a few genes are known to be specific to the SCs. The rarity of SCs has, thus far, hindered transcriptomic analysis study of this important cell type. Here, a method is presented that allows for the purification of SCs for RNA extraction and sequencing. The protocol consists in first dissecting glands from flies expressing a SC-specific GFP reporter and then subjecting these glands to protease digestion and mechanical dissociation to obtain individual cells. Following these steps, individual, living, GFP-marked cells are sorted using a fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS) for RNA purification. This procedure yields SC-specific RNAs from ~40 males per condition for downstream RT-qPCR and/or RNA sequencing in the course of one day. The rapidity and simplicity of the procedure allows for the transcriptomes of many different flies, from different genotypes or environmental conditions, to be determined in a short period of time.

The protocol presented here enables one experimenter to isolate secondary cells from Drosophila male accessory glands and to extract their RNA in the course of one single day (Figure 1).
We use the Abd-B-GAL4 construct18 to label secondary cells (SC) but not main cells (MC) with GFP (Figure 2A). One objective of...

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A FACS-based Protocol to Isolate RNA from the Secondary Cells of Drosophila Male Accessory Glands

Here, we present a protocol to dissociate and sort a specific cell population from the Drosophila male accessory glands (secondary cells) for RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR. Cell isolation is accomplished through FACS purification of GFP-expressing secondary cells after a multistep-dissociation process requiring dissection, proteases digestion and mechanical dispersion.

A FACS-based Protocol to Isolate RNA from the Secondary Cells of Drosophila Male Accessory Glands

To understand the function of an organ, it is often useful to understand the role of its constituent cell populations. Unfortunately, the rarity of ...

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