This study is supported by the NIH grant (R01NS121608). A.M.F. acknowledges the ARCS-Metro Washington Chapter Scholarship and the Bourbon F. Scribner Endowment Fellowship. We thank the Michael Ward lab at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for molecular biology support and the i3Neuron technology development.

<ol>
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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Using this LAMP1-APEX probe, proteins on and near the lysosomal membrane are biotinylated and enriched. Given the typical lysosome diameter of 100-1,200 nm, this method provides excellent intracellular resolution with a 10-20 nm labeling radius. LAMP1 is an abundant lysosomal membrane protein and a classical marker for lysosomes, serving as an excellent bait protein for lysosomal APEX labeling at the endogenous expression level. However, limitations also exist when using LAMP1 to target lysosomes, as LAMP1 is also presen...

Lysosomes are catabolic organelles that degrade macromolecules via the lysosomal-autophagy pathway1. Besides degradation, lysosomes are involved in diverse cellular functions such as signaling transduction, nutrient sensing, and secretion2,3,4. Perturbations in lysosomal function have been implicated in lysosomal storage disorders, cancer, aging, and neurodegeneration3,5,6,7. For postmitotic and highly polarized neurons, lysosomes play critical roles in neuronal cellular homeostasis, neurotransmitter release, and long-distance transport along the axons8,9,10,11. However, investigating lysosomes in human neurons has been a challenging task. Recent advancements in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuron technologies have enabled the culture of live human neurons that were previously inaccessible, bridging the gap between animal models and human patients to study the human brain12,13. Particularly, the advanced i3Neuron technology stably integrates the neurogenin-2 transcription factor into the iPSC genome under a doxycycline-inducible promoter, driving iPSCs to differentiate into pure cortical neurons in 2 weeks14,15.
Due to the highly dynamic lysosomal activity, capturing lysosomal interactions with other cellular components is technically challenging, particularly in a high-throughput fashion. Proximity labeling technology is well-suited to studying these dynamic interactions because of its capability to capture both stable and transient/weak protein interactions with exceptional spatial specificity16,17. Engineered peroxidase or biotin ligase can be genetically fused to the bait protein. Upon activation, highly reactive biotin radicals are produced to covalently label neighboring proteins, which can then be enriched by streptavidin-coated beads for downstream bottom-up proteomics via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) platforms17,18,19,20,21.
An endogenous lysosomal proximity labeling proteomics method was recently developed to capture the dynamic lysosomal microenvironment in i3Neurons22. Engineered ascorbate peroxidase (APEX2) was knocked-in on the C-terminus of the lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) in iPSCs, which can then be differentiated into cortical neurons. LAMP1 is an abundant lysosomal membrane protein and a classical lysosomal marker23. LAMP1 is also expressed in late endosomes, which mature into lysosomes; these late endosome-lysosomes and nondegradative lysosomes are all referred to as lysosomes in this protocol. This endogenous LAMP1-APEX probe, expressed at the physiological level, can reduce LAMP1 mislocalization and overexpression artifacts. Hundreds of lysosomal membrane proteins and lysosomal interactors can be identified and quantified with excellent spatial resolution in live human neurons.
Here, a detailed protocol for lysosome proximity labeling proteomics in human iPSC-derived neurons is described with further improvements from the recently published method22. The overall workflow is illustrated in Figure 1. The protocol includes hiPSC-derived neuron culture, proximity labeling activation in neurons, validation of APEX activity by fluorescence microscopy, determination of an optimal streptavidin beads-to-input protein ratio, enrichment of biotinylated proteins, on-beads protein digestion, peptide desalting and quantification, LC-MS analysis, and proteomics data analysis. Troubleshooting guidelines and experimental optimizations are also discussed to improve proximity labeling quality control and performance.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>10% (w/v) Saponin solution</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>419231000</td>
			<td>Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Accutase</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>A1110501</td>
			<td>cell detachment solution, Cell Culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B27 Supplement</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>17504044</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Cortical Neuron Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BDNF</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>450-02</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Cortical Neuron Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Boric acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>B6768</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Borate Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Serum Albumin</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>A8806</td>
			<td>To make standard solutions to measure total protein concentrations</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brainphys neuronal medium</td>
			<td>STEMCELL Technologies</td>
			<td>5790</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Cortical Neuron Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD45R (B220) Antibody Alexa Fluor 561</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>505-0452-82</td>
			<td>Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chroman1 ROCK inhibitor</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>716310</td>
			<td>Cell Culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cOmplete mini Protease Inhibitor</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>4693123001</td>
			<td>cocktail inhibitor in Lysis Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DC Protein Assay Kit II</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>5000112</td>
			<td>To determine total protein concentrations of cell lysate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D8418</td>
			<td>Proximity-labeling Reaction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12 medium</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11320082</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Dish Coating</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12 medium with HEPES</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11330057</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Induction Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey serum</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D9663</td>
			<td>Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Doxycycline hyclate, &#8805;98% (HPLC)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D9891-1G</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Induction Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Essential 8 Medium</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A1517001</td>
			<td>Cell Culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Essential 8 Supplement (50x)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A1517101</td>
			<td>Cell Culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Extraction plate vacuum manifold kit</td>
			<td>Waters</td>
			<td>WAT097944</td>
			<td>For Peptide desalting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Formic Acid (FA)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A11750</td>
			<td>For LC-MS analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GDNF</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>450-10</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Cortical Neuron Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hoechst dye</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>62239</td>
			<td>Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HPLC grade methanol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A452</td>
			<td>For Peptide desalting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HPLC grade water</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>W5</td>
			<td>For Peptide desalting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human induced pluripotent stem cells</td>
			<td>Corriell Institute</td>
			<td>GM25256</td>
			<td>Cell Culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrogen peroxide, ACS, 29-32% w/w aq. soln., stab.</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>AA33323AD</td>
			<td>Proximity-labeling Reaction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iodoacetamide (IAA)</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>I6125</td>
			<td>For Protein Digestion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laminin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>23017015</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Cortical Neuron Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LC-MS grade Acetonitrile</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A955</td>
			<td>For LC-MS analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LC-MS grade water</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>W64</td>
			<td>For LC-MS analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-glutamine</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>25-030-081</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Induction Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Matrigel</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>08-774-552</td>
			<td>basement membrane matrix, Cell Culture, Dish Coating</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human LAMP1 monoclonal antibody</td>
			<td>Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank</td>
			<td>h4a3</td>
			<td>Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-2 Supplement (100x)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>17-502-048</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Induction Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nitrocellulose Membrane, Precut, 0.45 &#181;m, 7 x 8.5 cm</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1620145</td>
			<td>To conduct dot blot assay for bead titration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-essential amino acids (NEAA)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11-140-050</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Induction Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NT-3</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>450-03</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Cortical Neuron Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oasis HLB 96-well solid phase extraction plate</td>
			<td>Waters</td>
			<td>186000309</td>
			<td>For Peptide desalting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Odyssey Blocking Buffer (TBS)</td>
			<td>LI-COR Biosciences</td>
			<td>927-50000</td>
			<td>To conduct dot blot assay for bead titration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>15710</td>
			<td>Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phenol Biotin (1,000x stock)</td>
			<td>Adipogen</td>
			<td>41994-02-9</td>
			<td>Proximity-labeling Reaction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) without calcium or magnesium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10010049</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Proximity-labeling Reaction, Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pierce Quantitative Colorimetric Peptide Assay</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>23275</td>
			<td>Peptide Concentration Assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-Ornithine (PLO)</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>P3655</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Dish Coating</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Ascorbate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A4034</td>
			<td>Proximity-Labeling Quench Buffer, Lysis Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium azide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S8032</td>
			<td>Proximity-Labeling Quench Buffer, Lysis Buffer, Flourescent Microscopy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S271500</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Borate Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1311220</td>
			<td>Lysis Buffer, Dot blot assay buffer, Beads wash buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium hydroxide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>415413</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Borate Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium tetraborate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>221732</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Borate Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SpeedVac concentrator</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>vacuum concentrator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin Magnetic Sepharose Beads</td>
			<td>Cytiva (formal GE)</td>
			<td>28-9857-99</td>
			<td>Enrich biotinylated proteins</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin, Alexa Fluor 680 Conjugate</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S32358</td>
			<td>To conduct dot blot assay for bead titration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermomixer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>temperature-controlled mixer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trifluoacetic acid (TFA)</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>302031</td>
			<td>For Peptide desalting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP)</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>C4706</td>
			<td>For Protein Digestion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris-HCl</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP152500</td>
			<td>Lysis Buffer, Dot blot assay buffer, Beads wash buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton-X</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP151500</td>
			<td>Beads wash buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TROLOX</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>648471</td>
			<td>Proximity-Labeling Quench Buffer, Lysis Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin/Lys-C Mix, Mass Spec Grade</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>V5073</td>
			<td>For Protein Digestion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TWEEN&#160;20</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>P1379</td>
			<td>Dot blot assay buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Urea</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP169500</td>
			<td>Beads wash and On-Beads Digestion Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vitronectin</td>
			<td>STEMCELL Technologies</td>
			<td>7180</td>
			<td>Cell Culture, Dish Coating</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Y-27632 ROCK inhibitor</td>
			<td>Selleck</td>
			<td>S1049</td>
			<td>Cell Culture</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

characterization of neuronal lysosome interactome with proximity labeling proteomics

Lysosomes frequently communicate with a variety of biomolecules to achieve the degradation and other diverse cellular functions. Lysosomes are critical to human brain function, as neurons are postmitotic and rely heavily on the autophagy-lysosome pathway to maintain cellular homeostasis. Despite advancements in the understanding of various lysosomal functions, capturing the highly dynamic communications between lysosomes and other cellular components is technically challenging, particularly in a high-throughput fashion. Here, a detailed protocol is provided for the recently published endogenous (knock-in) lysosome proximity labeling proteomic method in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons. 
Both lysosomal membrane proteins and proteins surrounding lysosomes within a 10-20 nm radius can be confidently identified and accurately quantified in live human neurons. Each step of the protocol is described in detail, i.e., hiPSC-neuron culture, proximity labeling, neuron harvest, fluorescence microscopy, biotinylated protein enrichment, protein digestion, LC-MS analysis, and data analysis. In summary, this unique endogenous lysosomal proximity labeling proteomics method provides a high-throughput and robust analytical tool to study the highly dynamic lysosomal activities in live human neurons.

This lysosome proximity labeling proteomics study was conducted in human iPSC-derived neurons to capture the dynamic lysosomal microenvironment in situ in live neurons. Cell morphologies of hiPSCs and hiPSC-derived neurons at different time points are illustrated in Figure 2A. Human iPSCs grow in colonies in E8 medium. Differentiation is initiated by plating iPSCs into doxycycline-containing neuron induction medium. Neurite extensions become more visible each day during the 3 day di...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Characterization of Neuronal Lysosome Interactome with Proximity Labeling Proteomics at JoVE.com

Characterization of Neuronal Lysosome Interactome with Proximity Labeling Proteomics

A neuronal lysosome proximity labeling proteomics protocol is described here to characterize the dynamic lysosomal microenvironment in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Lysosomal membrane proteins and proteins that interact with lysosomes (stably or transiently) can be accurately quantified in this method with excellent intracellular spatial resolution in live human neurons.

Lysosomes frequently communicate with a variety of biomolecules to achieve the degradation and other diverse cellular functions. Lysosomes are critical to ...

characterization-neuronal-lysosome-interactome-with-proximity

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

2.4K Views.  The George Washington University. A neuronal lysosome proximity labeling proteomics protocol is described here to characterize the dynamic lysosomal microenvironment in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Lysosomal membrane proteins and proteins that interact with lysosomes (stably or transiently) can be accurately quantified in this method with excellent intracellular spatial resolution in live human neurons.

Video: Characterization of Neuronal Lysosome Interactome with Proximity Labeling Proteomics

DiOLISTIC Labeling of Neurons from Rodent and Non-human Primate Brain Slices

DiOLISTIC staining uses the gene gun to introduce fluorescent dyes, such as DiI, into neurons of brain slices (Gan et al., 2009; O'Brien and Lummis, 2007; Gan et al., 2000). Here we provide a detailed description of each step required together with exemplary images of good and bad outcomes that will help when setting up the technique. In our experience, a few steps proved critical for the successful application of DiOLISTICS. These considerations include the quality of the DiI-coated bullets, the extent of fixative exposure, and the concentration of detergent used in the incubation solutions. Tips and solutions for common problems are provided. This is a versatile labeling technique that can be applied to multiple animal species at a wide range of ages. Unlike other fluorescent labeling techniques that are limited to preparations from young animals or restricted to mice because they rely on the expression of a fluorescent transgene, DiOLISTIC labeling can be applied to animals of all ages, species and genotypes and it can be used in combination with immunostaining to identify a specific subpopulation of cells. Here we demonstrate the use of DiOLISTICS to label neurons in brain slices from adult mice and adult non-human primates with the purpose of quantifying dendrite branching and dendritic spine morphology.

We demonstrate the use of the gene gun to introduce fluorescent dyes, such as DiI, into neurons in brain slices from rodents and non-human primates of different ages. In this particular case, we use adult mice (3-6 months old) and adult cynomologus monkeys (9-15 years old). This technique, originally described by the laboratory of Dr. Lichtman (Gan et al., 2000), is well suited for the study of dendritic branching and dendritic spine morphology and can be combined with traditional immunostaining, if detergents are kept at a low concentration.

DiOLISTIC staining uses the gene gun to introduce fluorescent dyes, such as DiI, into neurons of brain slices (Gan et al., 2009; O'Brien and Lummis, 2007; ...

Labeling F-actin Barbed Ends with Rhodamine-actin in Permeabilized Neuronal Growth Cones

The motile tips of growing axons are called growth cones. Growth cones lead navigating axons through developing tissues by interacting with locally expressed molecular guidance cues that bind growth cone receptors and regulate the dynamics and organization of the growth cone cytoskeleton3-6. The main target of these navigational signals is the actin filament meshwork that fills the growth cone periphery and that drives growth cone motility through continual actin polymerization and dynamic remodeling7. Positive or attractive guidance cues induce growth cone turning by stimulating actin filament (F-actin) polymerization in the region of the growth cone periphery that is nearer the source of the attractant cue. This actin polymerization drives local growth cone protrusion, adhesion of the leading margin and axonal elongation toward the attractant.
Actin filament polymerization depends on the availability of sufficient actin monomer and on polymerization nuclei or actin filament barbed ends for the addition of monomer. Actin monomer is abundantly available in chick retinal and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) growth cones. Consequently, polymerization increases rapidly when free F-actin barbed ends become available for monomer addition. This occurs in chick DRG and retinal growth cones via the local activation of the F-actin severing protein actin depolymerizing factor (ADF/cofilin) in the growth cone region closer to an attractant8-10. This heightened ADF/cofilin activity severs actin filaments to create new F-actin barbed ends for polymerization. The following method demonstrates this mechanism. Total content of F-actin is visualized by staining with fluorescent phalloidin. F-actin barbed ends are visualized by the incorporation of rhodamine-actin within growth cones that are permeabilized with the procedure described in the following, which is adapted from previous studies of other motile cells11, 12. When rhodamine-actin is added at a concentration above the critical concentration for actin monomer addition to barbed ends, rhodamine-actin assembles onto free barbed ends. If the attractive cue is presented in a gradient, such as being released from a micropipette positioned to one side of a growth cone, the incorporation of rhodamine-actin onto F-actin barbed ends will be greater in the growth cone side toward the micropipette10.
Growth cones are small and delicate cell structures. The procedures of permeabilization, rhodamine-actin incorporation, fixation and fluorescence visualization are all carefully done and can be conducted on the stage of an inverted microscope. These methods can be applied to studying local actin polymerization in migrating neurons, other primary tissue cells or cell lines.

A method to visualize and quantify F-actin barbed ends in neuronal growth cones is described. After culturing neurons on glass coverslips, cells are permeabilized with a saponin-containing solution. Then, a short incubation with the saponin buffer containing rhodamine-actin incorporates fluorescent actin onto free actin barbed ends.

The motile tips of growing axons are called growth cones. Growth cones lead navigating axons through developing tissues by interacting with locally ...

Recording Large-scale Neuronal Ensembles with Silicon Probes in the Anesthetized Rat

Large scale electrophysiological recordings from neuronal ensembles offer the opportunity to investigate how the brain orchestrates the wide variety of behaviors from the spiking activity of its neurons. One of the most effective methods to monitor spiking activity from a large number of neurons in multiple local neuronal circuits simultaneously is by using silicon electrode arrays1-3.
Action potentials produce large transmembrane voltage changes in the vicinity of cell somata. These output signals can be measured by placing a conductor in close proximity of a neuron. If there are many active (spiking) neurons in the vicinity of the tip, the electrode records combined signal from all of them, where contribution of a single neuron is weighted by its 'electrical distance'. Silicon probes are ideal recording electrodes to monitor multiple neurons because of a large number of recording sites (+64) and a small volume. Furthermore, multiple sites can be arranged over a distance of millimeters, thus allowing for the simultaneous recordings of neuronal activity in the various cortical layers or in multiple cortical columns (Fig. 1). Importantly, the geometrically precise distribution of the recording sites also allows for the determination of the spatial relationship of the isolated single neurons4. Here, we describe an acute, large-scale neuronal recording from the left and right forelimb somatosensory cortex simultaneously in an anesthetized rat with silicon probes (Fig. 2).

Extracellular recordings of neuronal activity using silicon probes in the anesthetized rat will be described. This technique allows information to be obtained across multiple brain areas from more than 100 neurons simultaneously. It provides information with single cell resolution about neuronal ensembles dynamics in multiple local circuits.

Large scale electrophysiological recordings from neuronal ensembles offer the opportunity to investigate how the brain orchestrates the wide variety of ...

Fast Micro-iontophoresis of Glutamate and GABA: A Useful Tool to Investigate Synaptic Integration

One of the fundamental interests in neuroscience is to understand the integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs along the very complex structure of the dendritic tree, which eventually leads to neuronal output of action potentials at the axon. The influence of diverse spatial and temporal parameters of specific synaptic input on neuronal output is currently under investigation, e.g. the distance-dependent attenuation of dendritic inputs, the location-dependent interaction of spatially segregated inputs, the influence of GABAergig inhibition on excitatory integration, linear and non-linear integration modes, and many more.
With fast micro-iontophoresis of glutamate and GABA it is possible to precisely investigate the spatial and temporal integration of glutamatergic excitation and GABAergic inhibition. Critical technical requirements are either a triggered fluorescent lamp, light-emitting diode (LED), or a two-photon scanning microscope to visualize dendritic branches without introducing significant photo-damage of the tissue. Furthermore, it is very important to have a micro-iontophoresis amplifier that allows for fast capacitance compensation of high resistance pipettes. Another crucial point is that no transmitter is involuntarily released by the pipette during the experiment.
Once established, this technique will give reliable and reproducible signals with a high neurotransmitter and location specificity. Compared to glutamate and GABA uncaging, fast iontophoresis allows using both transmitters at the same time but at very distant locations without limitation to the field of view. There are also advantages compared to focal electrical stimulation of axons: with micro-iontophoresis the location of the input site is definitely known and it is sure that only the neurotransmitter of interest is released. However it has to be considered that with micro-iontophoresis only the postsynapse is activated and presynaptic aspects of neurotransmitter release are not resolved. In this article we demonstrate how to set up micro-iontophoresis in brain slice experiments.

In this article we introduce fast micro-iontophoresis of neurotransmitters as a technique to investigate integration of postsynaptic signals with high spatial and temporal precision.

One of the fundamental interests in neuroscience is to understand the integration of excitatory and inhibitory inputs along the very complex structure of ...

Retrograde Labeling of Retinal Ganglion Cells in Adult Zebrafish with Fluorescent Dyes

As retrograde labeling retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can isolate RGCs somata from dying sites, it has become the gold standard for counting RGCs in RGCs survival and regeneration experiments. Many studies have been performed in mammalian animals to research RGCs survival after optic nerve injury. However, retrograde labeling of RGCs in adult zebrafish has not yet been reported, though some alternative methods can count cell numbers in retinal ganglion cell layers (RGCL). Considering the small size of the adult zebrafish skull and the high risk of death after drilling on the skull, we open the skull with the help of acid-etching and seal the hole with a light curing bond, which could significantly improve the survival rate. After absorbing the dyes for 5 days, almost all the RGCs are labeled. As this method does not need to transect the optic nerve, it is irreplaceable in the research of RGCs survival after optic nerve crush in adult zebrafish. Here, we introduce this method step by step and provide representative results.

We introduce an efficient method to retrograde label retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in adult zebrafish.

As retrograde labeling retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can isolate RGCs somata from dying sites, it has become the gold standard for counting RGCs in RGCs ...

Preparation of Neuronal Co-cultures with Single Cell Precision

Microfluidic embodiments of the Campenot chamber have attracted great interest from the neuroscience community. These interconnected co-culture platforms can be used to investigate a variety of questions, spanning developmental and functional neurobiology to infection and disease propagation. However, conventional systems require significant cellular inputs (many thousands per compartment), inadequate for studying low abundance cells, such as primary dopaminergic substantia nigra, spiral ganglia, and Drosophilia melanogaster neurons, and impractical for high throughput experimentation. The dense cultures are also highly locally entangled, with few outgrowths (&#60;10%) interconnecting the two cultures. In this paper straightforward microfluidic and patterning protocols are described which address these challenges: (i) a microfluidic single neuron arraying method, and (ii) a water masking method for plasma patterning biomaterial coatings to register neurons and promote outgrowth between compartments. Minimalistic neuronal co-cultures were prepared with high-level (&#62;85%) intercompartment connectivity and can be used for high throughput neurobiology experiments with single cell precision.

Protocols for single neuron microfluidic arraying and water masking for the in-chip plasma patterning of biomaterial coatings are described. Highly interconnected co-cultures can be prepared using minimal cell inputs.

Microfluidic embodiments of the Campenot chamber have attracted great interest from the neuroscience community. These interconnected co-culture platforms ...

Inducing Plasticity of Astrocytic Receptors by Manipulation of Neuronal Firing Rates

Close to two decades of research has established that astrocytes in situ and in vivo express numerous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that can be stimulated by neuronally-released transmitter. However, the ability of astrocytic receptors to exhibit plasticity in response to changes in neuronal activity has received little attention. Here we describe a model system that can be used to globally scale up or down astrocytic group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in acute brain slices. Included are methods on how to prepare parasagittal hippocampal slices, construct chambers suitable for long-term slice incubation, bidirectionally manipulate neuronal action potential frequency, load astrocytes and astrocyte processes with fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, and measure changes in astrocytic Gq GPCR activity by recording spontaneous and evoked astrocyte Ca2+ events using confocal microscopy. In essence, a &#8220;calcium roadmap&#8221; is provided for how to measure plasticity of astrocytic Gq GPCRs. Applications of the technique for study of astrocytes are discussed. Having an understanding of how astrocytic receptor signaling is affected by changes in neuronal activity has important implications for both normal synaptic function as well as processes underlying neurological disorders and neurodegenerative disease.

Here we describe an adaptation of protocols used to induce homeostatic plasticity in neurons for the study of plasticity of astrocytic G protein-coupled receptors. Recently used to examine changes in astrocytic group I mGluRs in juvenile mice, the method can be applied to measure scaling of various astrocytic GPCRs, in tissue from adult mice in situ and in vivo, and to gain a better appreciation of the sensitivity of astrocytic receptors to changes in neuronal activity.

Close to two decades of research has established that astrocytes in situ and in vivo express numerous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that can be ...

Electrophysiological and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

The combination of patch clamp recordings from two (or more) synaptically coupled neurons (paired recordings) in acute brain slice preparations with simultaneous intracellular biocytin filling allows a correlated analysis of their structural and functional properties. With this method it is possible to identify and characterize both pre- and postsynaptic neurons by their morphology and electrophysiological response pattern. Paired recordings allow studying the connectivity patterns between these neurons as well as the properties of both chemical and electrical synaptic transmission. Here, we give a step-by-step description of the procedures required to obtain reliable paired recordings together with an optimal recovery of the neuron morphology. We will describe how pairs of neurons connected via chemical synapses or gap junctions are identified in brain slice preparations. We will outline how neurons are reconstructed to obtain their 3D morphology of the dendritic and axonal domain and how synaptic contacts are identified and localized. We will also discuss the caveats and limitations of the paired recording technique, in particular those associated with dendritic and axonal truncations during the preparation of brain slices because these strongly affect connectivity estimates. However, because of the versatility of the paired recording approach it will remain a valuable tool in characterizing different aspects of synaptic transmission at identified neuronal microcircuits in the brain.

Patch-clamp recordings and simultaneous intracellular biocytin filling of synaptically coupled neurons in acute brain slices allow a correlated analysis of their structural and functional properties. The aim of this protocol is to describe the essential technical steps of electrophysiological recording from neuronal microcircuits and their subsequent morphological analysis.

The combination of patch clamp recordings from two (or more) synaptically coupled neurons (paired recordings) in acute brain slice preparations with ...

Quantification of Endosome and Lysosome Motilities in Cultured Neurons Using Fluorescent Probes

In the brain, membrane trafficking systems play important roles in regulating neuronal functions, such as neuronal morphology, synaptic plasticity, survival, and glial communications. To date, numerous studies have reported that defects in these systems cause various neuronal diseases. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying vesicle dynamics may provide influential clues that could aid in the treatment of several neuronal disorders. Here, we describe a method for quantifying vesicle motilities, such as motility distance and rate of movement, using a software plug-in for the ImageJ platform. To obtain images for quantification, we labeled neuronal endosome-lysosome structures with EGFP-tagged vesicle marker proteins and observed the movement of vesicles using a time-lapse microscopy. This method is highly useful and simplify measuring vesicle motility in neurites, such as axons and dendrites, as well as in the soma of both neurons and glial cells. Furthermore, this method can be applied to other cell lines, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. This approach could provide a valuable advancement of our understanding of membrane trafficking.

The investigation of membrane trafficking is crucial for understanding neuronal functions. Here, we introduce a method for quantifying vesicle motility in neurons. This is a convenient method that can be adapted to the quantification of membrane trafficking in the nervous system.

In the brain, membrane trafficking systems play important roles in regulating neuronal functions, such as neuronal morphology, synaptic plasticity, ...

Chronic Transcranial Electrical Stimulation and Intracortical Recording in Rats

Transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) is a powerful and relatively simple approach to diffusely influence brain activity either randomly or in a closed-loop event-triggered manner. Although many studies are focusing on the possible benefits and side-effects of TES in healthy and pathologic brains, there are still many fundamental open questions regarding the mechanism of action of the stimulation. Therefore, there is a clear need for a robust and reproducible method to test the acute and the chronic effects of TES in rodents. TES can be combined with regular behavioral, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques to investigate neuronal networks in vivo. The implantation of transcranial stimulation electrodes does not impose extra constraints on the experimental design while it offers a versatile, flexible tool to manipulate brain activity. Here we provide a detailed, step-by-step protocol to fabricate and implant transcranial stimulation electrodes to influence brain activity in a temporally constrained manner for months.

This detailed protocol describes transcranial stimulation electrode placement on the temporal bone in order to investigate the short- and long-term effects of transcranial electrical stimulation in freely moving rats.

Transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) is a powerful and relatively simple approach to diffusely influence brain activity either randomly or in a ...