Name: a scalable, cell-based method for the functional assessment of ube3a variants
Uploaded: 2022-10-10T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Scalable, Cell-Based Method for the Functional Assessment of Ube3a Variants at JoVE.com

Questo lavoro è stato sostenuto da un Simons Foundation Bridge to Independence Award (SFARI Award #387972; J.J.Y.), un NARSAD Young Investigator Award dalla Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (J.J.Y.), una borsa di ricerca dalla Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (J.J.Y.), e borse di ricerca dalla Angelman Syndrome Foundation (J.J.Y.), dalla Whitehall Foundation (J.J.Y.) e dal NIMH (R01MH122786; J.J.Y.).

1. Clonazione mutagenetica per generare varianti di Ube3a
<ol><li>Clonare tutte le varianti di Ube3a nel plasmide pCIG2 (Figura 1A), un vettore bicistronico che contiene un promotore di pollo-β-actina e un sito di ingresso interno del ribosoma (IRES) per l'espressione di EGFP19. I costrutti Ube3a a lunghezza intera contengono una sequenza di tag Myc-terminali N-terminali e sono clonati in pCIG2 usando un sito SacI di 5' e...

<ol>
	<li>Landrum, M. J., 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=ClinVar:+Public+archive+of+relationships+among+sequence+variation+and+human+phenotype.">ClinVar: Public archive of relationships among sequence variation and human phenotype.</a> Nucleic Acids Research. 42, 980-985 (2014).</li><li>Lek, M., 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=Analysis+of+protein-coding+genetic+variation+in+60,706+humans.">Analysis of protein-coding genetic variation in 60,706 humans.</a> Nature. 536 (7616), 285-291 (2016).</li><li>Starita, L. M., 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=Variant+interpretation:+Functional+assays+to+the+rescue.">Variant interpretation: Functional assays to the rescue.</a> American Journal of Human Genetics. 101 (3), 315-325 (2017).</li><li>Scheffner, M., Huibregtse, J. M., Vierstra, R. D., Howley, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+HPV-16+E6+and+E6-AP+complex+functions+as+a+ubiquitin-protein+ligase+in+the+ubiquitination+of+p53.">The HPV-16 E6 and E6-AP complex functions as a ubiquitin-protein ligase in the ubiquitination of p53.</a> Cell. 75 (3), 495-505 (1993).</li><li>Albrecht, U., 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=Imprinted+expression+of+the+murine+Angelman+syndrome+gene,+Ube3a,+in+hippocampal+and+Purkinje+neurons.">Imprinted expression of the murine Angelman syndrome gene, Ube3a, in hippocampal and Purkinje neurons.</a> Nature Genetics. 17 (1), 75-78 (1997).</li><li>Rougeulle, C., Glatt, H., Lalande, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Angelman+syndrome+candidate+gene,+UBE3A/E6-AP,+is+imprinted+in+brain.">The Angelman syndrome candidate gene, UBE3A/E6-AP, is imprinted in brain.</a> Nature Genetics. 17 (1), 14-15 (1997).</li><li>Vu, T. H., Hoffman, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imprinting+of+the+Angelman+syndrome+gene,+UBE3A,+is+restricted+to+brain.">Imprinting of the Angelman syndrome gene, UBE3A, is restricted to brain.</a> Nature Genetics. 17 (1), 12-13 (1997).</li><li>Kishino, T., Lalande, M., Wagstaff, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=UBE3A/E6-AP+mutations+cause+Angelman+syndrome.">UBE3A/E6-AP mutations cause Angelman syndrome.</a> Nature Genetics. 15 (1), 70-73 (1997).</li><li>Jiang, Y. H., 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=Mutation+of+the+Angelman+ubiquitin+ligase+in+mice+causes+increased+cytoplasmic+p53+and+deficits+of+contextual+learning+and+long-term+potentiation.">Mutation of the Angelman ubiquitin ligase in mice causes increased cytoplasmic p53 and deficits of contextual learning and long-term potentiation.</a> Neuron. 21 (4), 799-811 (1998).</li><li>Mabb, A. M., Judson, M. C., Zylka, M. J., Philpot, B. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Angelman+syndrome:+Insights+into+genomic+imprinting+and+neurodevelopmental+phenotypes.">Angelman syndrome: Insights into genomic imprinting and neurodevelopmental phenotypes.</a> Trends in Neuroscience. 34 (6), 293-303 (2011).</li><li>Hogart, A., Wu, D., LaSalle, J. M., Schanen, N. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+comorbidity+of+autism+with+the+genomic+disorders+of+chromosome+15q11.2-q13.">The comorbidity of autism with the genomic disorders of chromosome 15q11.2-q13.</a> Neurobiology of Disease. 38 (2), 181-191 (2010).</li><li>Urraca, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+interstitial+duplication+15q11.2-q13+syndrome+includes+autism,+mild+facial+anomalies+and+a+characteristic+EEG+signature.">The interstitial duplication 15q11.2-q13 syndrome includes autism, mild facial anomalies and a characteristic EEG signature.</a> Autism Research. 6 (4), 268-279 (2013).</li><li>de la Torre-Ubieta, L., Won, H., Stein, J. L., Geschwind, D. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advancing+the+understanding+of+autism+disease+mechanisms+through+genetics.">Advancing the understanding of autism disease mechanisms through genetics.</a> Nature Medicine. 22 (4), 345-361 (2016).</li><li>Scheffner, M., Staub, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HECT+E3s+and+human+disease.">HECT E3s and human disease.</a> BMC Biochemistry. 8, (2007).</li><li>Cooper, E. M., Hudson, A. W., Amos, J., Wagstaff, J., Howley, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biochemical+analysis+of+Angelman+syndrome-associated+mutations+in+the+E3+ubiquitin+ligase+E6-associated+protein.">Biochemical analysis of Angelman syndrome-associated mutations in the E3 ubiquitin ligase E6-associated protein.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 279 (39), 41208-41217 (2004).</li><li>Yi, J. J., Barnes, A. P., Hand, R., Polleux, F., Ehlers, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=TGF-beta+signaling+specifies+axons+during+brain+development.">TGF-beta signaling specifies axons during brain development.</a> Cell. 142 (1), 144-157 (2010).</li><li>Yi, J. J., 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+autism-linked+UBE3A+T485A+mutant+E3+ubiquitin+ligase+activates+the+Wnt/beta-catenin+pathway+by+inhibiting+the+proteasome.">The autism-linked UBE3A T485A mutant E3 ubiquitin ligase activates the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway by inhibiting the proteasome.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 292 (30), 12503-12515 (2017).</li><li>Weston, K. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+disease-linked+hyperactivating+mutations+in+UBE3A+through+large-scale+functional+variant+analysis.">Identification of disease-linked hyperactivating mutations in UBE3A through large-scale functional variant analysis.</a> Nature Communications. 12 (1), 6809 (2021).</li><li>Hand, R., Polleux, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurogenin2+regulates+the+initial+axon+guidance+of+cortical+pyramidal+neurons+projecting+medially+to+the+corpus+callosum.">Neurogenin2 regulates the initial axon guidance of cortical pyramidal neurons projecting medially to the corpus callosum.</a> Neural Development. 6, 30 (2011).</li><li>Karginov, A. V., Ding, F., Kota, P., Dokholyan, N. V., Hahn, K. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Engineered+allosteric+activation+of+kinases+in+living+cells.">Engineered allosteric activation of kinases in living cells.</a> Nature Biotechnology. 28 (7), 743-747 (2010).</li><li>Biechele, T. L., Moon, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assaying+beta-catenin/TCF+transcription+with+beta-catenin/TCF+transcription-based+reporter+constructs.">Assaying beta-catenin/TCF transcription with beta-catenin/TCF transcription-based reporter constructs.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. , 99-110 (2008).</li><li>Yi, J. J., 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=An+Autism-linked+mutation+disables+phosphorylation+control+of+UBE3A.">An Autism-linked mutation disables phosphorylation control of UBE3A.</a> Cell. 162 (4), 795-807 (2015).</li><li>Kuhnle, S., 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=Angelman+syndrome-associated+point+mutations+in+the+Zn(2+)-binding+N-terminal+(AZUL)+domain+of+UBE3A+ubiquitin+ligase+inhibit+binding+to+the+proteasome.">Angelman syndrome-associated point mutations in the Zn(2+)-binding N-terminal (AZUL) domain of UBE3A ubiquitin ligase inhibit binding to the proteasome.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 293 (47), 18387-18399 (2018).</li><li>Yamamoto, Y., Huibregtse, J. M., Howley, P. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+human+E6-AP+gene+(UBE3A)+encodes+three+potential+protein+isoforms+generated+by+differential+splicing.">The human E6-AP gene (UBE3A) encodes three potential protein isoforms generated by differential splicing.</a> Genomics. 41 (2), 263-266 (1997).</li><li>Avagliano Trezza, 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=Loss+of+nuclear+UBE3A+causes+electrophysiological+and+behavioral+deficits+in+mice+and+is+associated+with+Angelman+syndrome.">Loss of nuclear UBE3A causes electrophysiological and behavioral deficits in mice and is associated with Angelman syndrome.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 22 (8), 1235-1247 (2019).</li><li>Bossuyt, S. N. V., 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=Loss+of+nuclear+UBE3A+activity+is+the+predominant+cause+of+Angelman+syndrome+in+individuals+carrying+UBE3A+missense+mutations.">Loss of nuclear UBE3A activity is the predominant cause of Angelman syndrome in individuals carrying UBE3A missense mutations.</a> Human Molecular Genetics. 30 (6), 430-442 (2021).</li></ol>

Il protocollo qui descritto fornisce un metodo efficiente e scalabile per valutare l'attività enzimatica delle varianti di Ube3a. Ci sono diversi dettagli tecnici che meritano un'attenta considerazione quando si utilizza questo test. Una considerazione è la scelta dei plasmidi reporter Wnt utilizzati in questo test. Il protocollo qui descritto utilizza specificamente il reporter attivato da β-catenina (BAR)21, un reporter che contiene un concatenatore di 12 elementi di risposta del fat...

I recenti progressi tecnologici hanno reso il sequenziamento di esomi e genomi di routine in ambito clinico 1,2. Ciò ha portato alla scoperta di un gran numero di varianti genetiche, tra cui milioni di varianti missenso che tipicamente cambiano un amminoacido in una proteina. Comprendere il significato funzionale di queste varianti rimane una sfida, e solo una piccola frazione (~2%) delle varianti missenso conosciute ha un'interpretazione clinica 1,3.
Un esempio importante di questo problema è Ube3a, un gene che codifica per una ubiquitina ligasi E3 che prende di mira le proteine del substrato per la degradazione4. Ube3a risiede all'interno del cromosoma 15q11-13 ed è espresso esclusivamente dall'allele 5,6,7 ereditato per via materna. Le osservazioni della genetica delle malattie suggeriscono fortemente che l'attività insufficiente o eccessiva dell'enzima UBE3A causa distinti disturbi dello sviluppo neurologico. La delezione del cromosoma materno 15q11-13 causa la sindrome di Angelman (AS)8, un disturbo caratterizzato da grave disabilità intellettiva, menomazioni motorie, convulsioni, un contegno felice con frequenti sorrisi e caratteristiche facciali dismorfiche 8,9,10. Al contrario, la duplicazione o triplicazione del cromosoma materno 15q11-13 causa la sindrome di Dup15q, una condizione eterogenea riconosciuta come una delle forme sindromiche più diffuse di autismo11,12,13. Inoltre, ci sono centinaia di varianti missenso identificate in Ube3a, la maggior parte delle quali sono considerate varianti di significato incerto (VUS) in quanto il loro significato funzionale e clinico è sconosciuto. Pertanto, vi è un notevole interesse nello sviluppo di metodi in grado di valutare empiricamente le varianti di Ube3a per determinare se contribuiscono alla malattia dello sviluppo neurologico.
L'enzima UBE3A appartiene alla famiglia di domini HECT (omologa a E6-AP C-terminale) delle ubiquitina ligasi E3 che possiedono tutte l'omonimo dominio HECT, che contiene il macchinario biochimico necessario per accettare l'ubiquitina attivata dagli enzimi E2 e trasferirla alle proteine del substrato14. Storicamente, la caratterizzazione degli enzimi E3 si è basata su sistemi in vitro ricostituiti che richiedono un insieme di proteine purificate 4,15,16. Tali metodi sono lenti e laboriosi e non suscettibili di valutare l'attività di un gran numero di varianti. In lavori precedenti, UBE3A è stato identificato per attivare la via Wnt nelle cellule HEK293T modulando la funzione del proteasoma per rallentare la degradazione della β-catenina17. Questa intuizione consente l'uso di Wnt pathway reporter come metodo efficiente e rapido per identificare sia le varianti di perdita che di guadagno di funzione di Ube3a18. Il protocollo seguente descrive in dettaglio un metodo per generare varianti di Ube3a e un reporter basato sulla luciferasi per valutare i cambiamenti nell'attività delle varianti di Ube3a.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.05% Trypsin-EDTA (1x), phenol red</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25300-054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 Kb DNA ladder</td>
			<td>Lambda Biotech</td>
			<td>M108-S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100 bp DNA Ladder</td>
			<td>Lambda Biotech</td>
			<td>M107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10x Buffer for T4 DNA Ligase with 10 mM ATP</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>B0202A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5x Phusion HF Reaction Buffer</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>B0518S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic Solution</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>30004CI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Black/White Isoplate-96 Black Frame White Well plate</td>
			<td>PerkinElmer</td>
			<td>6005030</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carbenicillin Disodium Salt</td>
			<td>Midwest Scientific</td>
			<td>KCC46000-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Countess cell counting chamber&#160; slides</td>
			<td>Invitrogen by Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>C10283</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Countess II Automated Cell Counter&#160;</td>
			<td>life technologies</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Cell counting machine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Custom DNA oligos</td>
			<td>Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Deoxynucleotide (dNTP) Solution Mix</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>N0447S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM, high glucose, GlutaMAX Supplement, pyruvate</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10569044</td>
			<td>Basal medium for supporting the growth of HEK293T cell line</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DPBS (1x)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14190-136</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>E1910</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EcoRI-HF&#160;</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>R3101S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum, qualified, heat inactivated</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>16140071</td>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fisherbrand Surface Treated Tissue Culture Dishes</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>FB012924</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FuGENE 6 Transfection Reagent</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>E2691</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel Loading Dye Purple (6x)</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>B7024A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEK293T cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-3216</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High Efficiency ig 10B Chemically Competent Cells</td>
			<td>Intact Genomics</td>
			<td>1011-12</td>
			<td>E. coli DH10B cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HiSpeed Plasmid Midi Kit</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>12643</td>
			<td>Midi prep</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pCIG2 plasmid</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pGL3 BAR plasmid</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phusion HF DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>M0530L</td>
			<td>DNA polymerase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ProFlex 3 x 32 well PCR System</td>
			<td>Applied biosystems by life technologies</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Thermocycler</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pTK Renilla plasmid</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit (250)</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>27106</td>
			<td>Mini prep</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (250)</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>28706</td>
			<td>Gel purification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>QIAquick PCR Purification Kit (250)</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>28106</td>
			<td>PCR purification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>rCutSmart Buffer</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>B6004S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SacI-HF</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>R3156S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Synergy HTX Multi-Mode Reader</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>&#160;Plate reader runs Gen5 software v3.08 (BioTek)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T4 DNA Ligase</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>M0202L</td>
			<td>Ligase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TAE Buffer, Tris-Acetate-EDTA, 50x Solution, Electrophoresis</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP13324</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Culture Plate 96 wells, Flat Bottom</td>
			<td>Fisherbrand</td>
			<td>FB012931</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UltraPure Ethidium Bromide Solution</td>
			<td>Invitrogen by Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>15585011</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>XmaI</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs</td>
			<td>R0180S</td>
			<td>Restriction enzyme</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a scalable, cell-based method for the functional assessment of ube3a variants

L'aumento dell'uso del sequenziamento in medicina ha identificato milioni di varianti codificanti nel genoma umano. Molte di queste varianti si verificano in geni associati a disturbi dello sviluppo neurologico, ma il significato funzionale della stragrande maggioranza delle varianti rimane sconosciuto. Il presente protocollo descrive lo studio di varianti per Ube3a, un gene che codifica per una ubiquitina ligasi E3 legata sia all'autismo che alla sindrome di Angelman. La duplicazione o triplicazione di Ube3a è fortemente legata all'autismo, mentre la sua delezione causa la sindrome di Angelman. Pertanto, comprendere la valenza dei cambiamenti nell'attività della proteina UBE3A è importante per i risultati clinici. Qui viene descritto un metodo rapido basato su cellule che accoppia le varianti di Ube3a con un reporter di percorso Wnt. Questo semplice test è scalabile e può essere utilizzato per determinare la valenza e l'entità dei cambiamenti di attività in qualsiasi variante di Ube3a . Inoltre, la facilità di questo metodo consente la generazione di una ricchezza di informazioni struttura-funzione, che possono essere utilizzate per ottenere informazioni approfondite sui meccanismi enzimatici di UBE3A.

Lo screening funzionale su larga scala delle varianti missenso di Ube3a identifica un ampio panorama di mutazioni con perdita e guadagno di funzione Precedenti lavori con mutanti Ube3a hanno suggerito che la risposta Wnt può servire come reporter dell'attività cellulare della proteina UBE3A. Queste osservazioni sono state ampliate e sono stati eseguiti ulteriori esperimenti di convalida per indagare se il test BAR è adatto a segnalare una serie di attività UBE3A nella cellula. In...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Scalable, Cell-Based Method for the Functional Assessment of Ube3a Variants at JoVE.com

A Scalable, Cell-Based Method for the Functional Assessment of Ube3a Variants

È stato sviluppato un metodo semplice e scalabile per valutare il significato funzionale delle varianti missenso in Ube3a, un gene la cui perdita e guadagno di funzione sono legati sia alla sindrome di Angelman che al disturbo dello spettro autistico.

Un metodo scalabile basato su celle per la valutazione funzionale delle varianti Ube3a

The increased use of sequencing in medicine has identified millions of coding variants in the human genome. Many of these variants occur in genes ...

Il nostro metodo fornisce un modo rapido per comprendere l'impatto funzionale delle varianti in Ube3a, una ubiquitina ligasi che causa la sindrome di Angelman ed è fortemente legata a una forma genetica di autismo nota come sindrome di Dup15q. La caratterizzazione dell'attività dell'ubiquitina ligasi è tradizionalmente laboriosa e lenta, e tali metodi sono difficili e non realmente suscettibili di caratterizzare le centinaia di varianti identificate per Ube3a. La sindrome di Angelman è causata dalla delezione del gene materno Ube3a, mentre la sindrome Dup15q è causata dalla duplicazione dell'Ube3a materno, quindi è importante dedurre come le varianti missenso abbiano cambiato l'attività dell'enzima Ube3a, e questo è qualcosa che è difficile da fare senza testare empiricamente ogni variante.A dimostrare la procedura sarà Jalin Stelzer, un tecnico di ricerca nel mio laboratorio. Inizia eseguendo i saggi in cellule HEK293T, coltivate nel mezzo Eagle modificato di Dulbecco a 37 gradi Celsius, con il 5% di anidride carbonica in un contenitore umidificato, come descritto nel manoscritto. In un armadio di biosicurezza, placcare le cellule HEK293T sospese su una piastra a fondo piatto a 96 pozzetti trattata con colture tissutali e incubare le cellule durante la notte a 37 gradi.Il secondo giorno, trasfettare le cellule in un armadio di biosicurezza con plasmidi reporter Firefly e Renilla luciferasi e plasmidi Ube3a in triplice copia. Eseguire le trasfezioni in un volume totale di 10 microlitri per pozzetto. Creare un master mix per le trasfezioni per ogni variante in una provetta da microcentrifuga da 1,5 millilitri e incubare a temperatura ambiente per 15 minuti.Dopo l'incubazione, agitare delicatamente la miscela di trasfezione toccando il tubo, quindi aggiungere 10 microlitri della miscela di trasfezione direttamente ai terreni di crescita esistenti nei pozzetti. Successivamente, riportare le cellule nell'incubatore e consentire ai plasmidi di esprimersi per 48 ore. Utilizzando un microscopio a fluorescenza, monitorare l'efficienza della trasfezione mediante fluorescenza GFP.Più dell'80% delle cellule dovrebbe esprimere GFP dopo 48 ore. Aspirare con cura i terreni di coltura dalle cellule HEK293T trasfettate e quindi lavare le cellule con PBS freddo. Aspirare il PBS.Aggiungere 25 microlitri di tampone di lisi non denaturante per la lisi cellulare e incubare per 15 minuti sul ghiaccio con un leggero dondolio. Quindi, aggiungere 20 microlitri del lisato risultante in una nuova piastra di dosaggio a 96 pozzetti contenente 100 microlitri di un reagente del substrato della luciferasi Firefly e mescolare delicatamente la piastra picchiettando. Caricare la piastra su un lettore di piastre e misurare la luminescenza utilizzando un rilevatore superiore con un'altezza di lettura di un millimetro e un tempo di integrazione di un secondo.Immediatamente dopo aver letto la luminescenza della luciferasi Firefly, aggiungere 100 microlitri di substrato di Renilla luciferasi ai pozzetti, che estingue l'attività della luciferasi Firefly mentre valuta l'attività della Renilla luciferasi. Mescolare i campioni agitando delicatamente le piastre e misurare nuovamente la luminescenza per valutare l'attività della Renilla luciferasi. Confrontare l'attività relativa delle proteine varianti quantificando le risposte dei reporter e normalizzando il valore di Firefly e Renilla per ciascuna variante rispetto al wild type Ube3a.Le cellule HEK293T trasfettate con quantità crescenti di plasmide che codifica Ube3a wild-type mostrano un aumento lineare della risposta BAR. Il test BAR identifica le varianti legate alla malattia dei plasmidi, dimostrando l'accuratezza e la generalità di questo metodo. Lo schermo del test BAR per 152 varianti di Ube3a mostra mutazioni benigne di perdita di funzione e guadagno di funzione rispetto all'Ube3a wild-type.Il guadagno di funzione sostituzione del glutammato, la perdita di funzione sostituzione della prolina e un'altra perdita di funzione sostituzione dell'arginina alla posizione 588 di Ube3a hanno prodotto effetti drasticamente diversi, sottolineando così l'importanza della valutazione empirica delle varianti. Il grafico del calore mostra i risultati normalizzati della BAR per un'analisi mutazionale completa in posizione 588 in Ube3a. L'ombreggiatura bianca rappresenta i livelli di attività Ube3a wild-type, l'ombreggiatura blu indica la perdita di funzione e l'ombreggiatura rossa indica il guadagno delle mutazioni di funzione.Al di là delle implicazioni cliniche del nostro lavoro, Ube3a è un membro della famiglia di ubiquitina ligasi del dominio HECT, che possiedono tutte il dominio catalitico HECT conservato. E penso che uno degli aspetti affascinanti del nostro lavoro sia che fornisce ricchi dati sulle funzioni di struttura su Ube3a, e questo può essere usato per ottenere una comprensione meccanicistica più profonda per questa classe di enzimi.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

A Scalable, Cell-Based Method for the Functional Assessment of Ube3a Variants

Scalable Fluidic Injector Arrays for Viral Targeting of Intact 3-D Brain Circuits

Our understanding of neural circuits--how they mediate the computations that subserve sensation, thought, emotion, and action, and how they are corrupted in neurological and psychiatric disorders--would be greatly facilitated by a technology for rapidly targeting genes to complex 3-dimensional neural circuits, enabling fast creation of "circuit-level transgenics." We have recently developed methods in which viruses encoding for light-sensitive proteins can sensitize specific cell types to millisecond-timescale activation and silencing in the intact brain. We here present the design and implementation of an injector array capable of delivering viruses (or other fluids) to dozens of defined points within the 3-dimensional structure of the brain (Figure. 1A, 1B). The injector array comprises one or more displacement pumps that each drive a set of syringes, each of which feeds into a polyimide/fused-silica capillary via a high-pressure-tolerant connector. The capillaries are sized, and then inserted into, desired locations specified by custom-milling a stereotactic positioning board, thus allowing viruses or other reagents to be delivered to the desired set of brain regions. To use the device, the surgeon first fills the fluidic subsystem entirely with oil, backfills the capillaries with the virus, inserts the device into the brain, and infuses reagents slowly (&lt;0.1 microliters/min). The parallel nature of the injector array facilitates rapid, accurate, and robust labeling of entire neural circuits with viral payloads such as optical sensitizers to enable light-activation and silencing of defined brain circuits. Along with other technologies, such as optical fiber arrays for light delivery to desired sets of brain regions, we hope to create a toolbox that enables the systematic probing of causal neural functions in the intact brain. This technology may not only open up such systematic approaches to circuit-focused neuroscience in mammals, and facilitate labeling of brain regions in large animals such as non-human primates, but may also open up a clinical translational path for cell-specific optical control prosthetics, whose precision may enable improved treatment of intractable brain disorders. Finally, such devices as described here may facilitate precisely-timed fluidic delivery of other payloads, such as stem cells and pharmacological agents, to 3-dimensional structures, in an easily user-customizable fashion.

Controlling and analyzing neural circuits in vivo would be facilitated by a technology for delivery of viruses and other reagents to desired 3-dimensional sets of brain regions. We demonstrate customized fluidic injector array fabrication, and delivery of virally-encoded optical sensitizers, enabling optical manipulation of complex brain circuits.

Gli array scalabile fluidico Iniettore per Viral targeting di intatto 3-D circuiti cerebrali

Our understanding of neural circuits--how they mediate the computations that subserve sensation, thought, emotion, and action, and how they are corrupted ...

Ricerca

Neuroscienze

Functional Mapping with Simultaneous MEG and EEG

We use magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) to locate and determine the temporal evolution in brain areas involved in the processing of simple sensory stimuli. We will use somatosensory stimuli to locate the hand somatosensory areas, auditory stimuli to locate the auditory cortices, visual stimuli in four quadrants of the visual field to locate the early visual areas. These type of experiments are used for functional mapping in epileptic and brain tumor patients to locate eloquent cortices. In basic neuroscience similar experimental protocols are used to study the orchestration of cortical activity. The acquisition protocol includes quality assurance procedures, subject preparation for the combined MEG/EEG study, and acquisition of evoked-response data with somatosensory, auditory, and visual stimuli. We also demonstrate analysis of the data using the equivalent current dipole model and cortically-constrained minimum-norm estimates. Anatomical MRI data are employed in the analysis for visualization and for deriving boundaries of tissue boundaries for forward modeling and cortical location and orientation constraints for the minimum-norm estimates.

We use magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) to map brain areas involved in the processing of simple sensory stimuli.

Mappatura funzionale con EEG e MEG simultaneo

We use magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) to locate and determine the temporal evolution in brain areas involved in the ...

Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound (fTCD)

There are many unanswered questions about cerebral lateralization. In particular, it remains unclear which aspects of language and nonverbal ability are lateralized, whether there are any disadvantages associated with atypical patterns of cerebral lateralization, and whether cerebral lateralization develops with age. In the past, researchers interested in these questions tended to use handedness as a proxy measure for cerebral lateralization, but this is unsatisfactory because handedness is only a weak and indirect indicator of laterality of cognitive functions1. Other methods, such as fMRI, are expensive for large-scale studies, and not always feasible with children2.
Here we will describe the use of functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD) as a cost-effective, non-invasive and reliable method for assessing cerebral lateralization. The procedure involves measuring blood flow in the middle cerebral artery via an ultrasound probe placed just in front of the ear. Our work builds on work by Rune Aaslid, who co-introduced TCD in 1982, and Stefan Knecht, Michael Deppe and their colleagues at the University of M&uuml;nster, who pioneered the use of simultaneous measurements of left- and right middle cerebral artery blood flow, and devised a method of correcting for heart beat activity. This made it possible to see a clear increase in left-sided blood flow during language generation, with lateralization agreeing well with that obtained using other methods3.
The middle cerebral artery has a very wide vascular territory (see Figure 1) and the method does not provide useful information about localization within a hemisphere. Our experience suggests it is particularly sensitive to tasks that involve explicit or implicit speech production. The 'gold standard' task is a word generation task (e.g. think of as many words as you can that begin with the letter 'B') 4, but this is not suitable for young children and others with limited literacy skills. Compared with other brain imaging methods, fTCD is relatively unaffected by movement artefacts from speaking, and so we are able to get a reliable result from tasks that involve describing pictures aloud5,6. Accordingly, we have developed a child-friendly task that involves looking at video-clips that tell a story, and then describing what was seen.

Assessment of Cerebral Lateralization in Children using Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound fTCD

Functional transcranial Doppler sonography (fTCD) is a simple and non-invasive ultrasound technique which can be used to assess the lateralization of cognitive functions, especially language, and is suitable for use with children.

Valutazione della lateralizzazione cerebrale nei bambini utilizzando funzionale ad ultrasuoni Doppler transcranico (fTCD)

There are many unanswered questions about cerebral lateralization.  In particular, it remains unclear which aspects of language and nonverbal ability are ...

High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain

Functional MRI (fMRI) is a widely used tool for non-invasively measuring correlates of human brain activity. However, its use has mostly been focused upon measuring activity on the surface of cerebral cortex rather than in subcortical regions such as midbrain and brainstem. Subcortical fMRI must overcome two challenges: spatial resolution and physiological noise. Here we describe an optimized set of techniques developed to perform high-resolution fMRI in human SC, a structure on the dorsal surface of the midbrain; the methods can also be used to image other brainstem and subcortical structures.
High-resolution (1.2 mm voxels) fMRI of the SC requires a non-conventional approach. The desired spatial sampling is obtained using a multi-shot (interleaved) spiral acquisition1. Since, T2* of SC tissue is longer than in cortex, a correspondingly longer echo time (TE ~ 40 msec) is used to maximize functional contrast. To cover the full extent of the SC, 8-10 slices are obtained. For each session a structural anatomy with the same slice prescription as the fMRI is also obtained, which is used to align the functional data to a high-resolution reference volume.
In a separate session, for each subject, we create a high-resolution (0.7 mm sampling) reference volume using a T1-weighted sequence that gives good tissue contrast. In the reference volume, the midbrain region is segmented using the ITK-SNAP software application2. This segmentation is used to create a 3D surface representation of the midbrain that is both smooth and accurate3. The surface vertices and normals are used to create a map of depth from the midbrain surface within the tissue4.
Functional data is transformed into the coordinate system of the segmented reference volume. Depth associations of the voxels enable the averaging of fMRI time series data within specified depth ranges to improve signal quality. Data is rendered on the 3D surface for visualization.
In our lab we use this technique for measuring topographic maps of visual stimulation and covert and overt visual attention within the SC1. As an example, we demonstrate the topographic representation of polar angle to visual stimulation in SC.

This article describes techniques to perform high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging with 1.2 mm sampling in human midbrain and subcortical structures using a 3T scanner. Use of these techniques to resolve topographic maps of visual stimulation in the human superior colliculus (SC) is given as an example.

Ad alta risoluzione magnetica funzionale per immagini Metodi risonanza per mesencefalo umano

Functional MRI (fMRI) is a widely used tool for non-invasively measuring correlates of human brain activity. However, its use has mostly been focused upon ...

Functional and Morphological Assessment of Diaphragm Innervation by Phrenic Motor Neurons

This protocol specifically focuses on tools for assessing phrenic motor neuron (PhMN) innervation of the diaphragm at both the electrophysiological and morphological levels. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) recording following phrenic nerve stimulation can be used to quantitatively assess functional diaphragm innervation by PhMNs of the cervical spinal cord in vivo in anesthetized rats and mice. Because CMAPs represent simultaneous recording of all myofibers of the whole hemi-diaphragm, it is useful to also examine the phenotypes of individual motor axons and myofibers at the diaphragm NMJ in order to track disease- and therapy-relevant morphological changes such as partial and complete denervation, regenerative sprouting and reinnervation. This can be accomplished via whole-mount immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the diaphragm, followed by detailed morphological assessment of individual NMJs throughout the muscle. Combining CMAPs and NMJ analysis provides a powerful approach for quantitatively studying diaphragmatic innervation in rodent models of CNS and PNS disease.

Compound muscle action potential recording quantitatively assesses functional diaphragm innervation by phrenic motor neurons. Whole-mount diaphragm immunohistochemistry assesses morphological innervation at individual neuromuscular junctions. The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate how these two powerful methodologies can be used in various rodent models of spinal cord disease.

Funzionale e morfologica Valutazione della membrana innervazione da Phrenic Motor Neurons

This protocol specifically focuses on tools for assessing phrenic motor neuron (PhMN) innervation of the diaphragm at both the electrophysiological and ...

Assessment of Hippocampal Dendritic Complexity in Aged Mice Using the Golgi-Cox Method

Dendritic spines are the protuberances from the neuronal dendritic shafts that contain&#160; excitatory synapses. The morphological and branching variations of the neuronal dendrites within the hippocampus are implicated in cognition and memory formation. There are several approaches to Golgi staining, all of which have been useful for determining the morphological characteristics of dendritic arbors and produce a clear background. The present Golgi-Cox method, (a slight variation of the protocol that is provided with a commercial Golgi staining kit), was designed to assess how a relatively low dose of the chemotherapeutic drug 5-flurouracil (5-Fu) would affect dendritic morphology, the number of spines, and the complexity of arborization within the hippocampus. The 5-Fu significantly modulated the dendritic complexity and decreased the spine density throughout the hippocampus in a region-specific manner. The data presented show that the Golgi staining method effectively stained the mature neurons in the CA1, the CA3, and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. This protocol reports the details for each step so that other researchers can reliably stain tissue throughout the brain with high quality results and minimal troubleshooting.

Here we present a Golgi-Cox protocol in extensive detail. This reliable tissue stain method allows for a high-quality assessment of the cytoarchitecture in the hippocampus, and throughout the entire brain, with minimal troubleshooting.

Valutazione della complessità dendritica ippocampale nei topi invecchiati utilizzando il metodo Golgi-Cox

Dendritic spines are the protuberances from the neuronal dendritic shafts that contain&#160; excitatory synapses. The morphological and branching ...

Rewiring Neuronal Circuits: A New Method for Fast Neurite Extension and Functional Neuronal Connection

Brain and spinal cord injury may lead to permanent disability and death because it is still not possible to regenerate neurons over long distances and accurately reconnect them with an appropriate target. Here a procedure is described to rapidly initiate, elongate, and precisely connect new functional neuronal circuits over long distances. The extension rates achieved reach over 1.2 mm/h, 30-60 times faster than the in vivo rates of the fastest growing axons from the peripheral nervous system (0.02 to 0.04 mm/h)28 and 10 times faster than previously reported for the same neuronal type at an earlier stage of development4. First, isolated populations of rat hippocampal neurons are grown for 2-3 weeks in microfluidic devices to precisely position the cells, enabling easy micromanipulation and experimental reproducibility. Next, beads coated with poly-D-lysine (PDL) are placed on neurites to form adhesive contacts and pipette micromanipulation is used to move the resulting bead-neurite complex. As the bead is moved, it pulls out a new neurite that can be extended over hundreds of micrometers and functionally connected to a target cell in less than 1 h. This process enables experimental reproducibility and ease of manipulation while bypassing slower chemical strategies to induce neurite growth. Preliminary measurements presented here demonstrate a neuronal growth rate far exceeding physiological ones. Combining these innovations allows for the precise establishment of neuronal networks in culture with an unprecedented degree of control. It is a novel method that opens the door to a plethora of information and insights into signal transmission and communication within the neuronal network as well as being a playground in which to explore the limits of neuronal growth. The potential applications and experiments are widespread with direct implications for therapies that aim to reconnect neuronal circuits after trauma or in neurodegenerative diseases.

This procedure describes how to rapidly initiate, extend and connect neurites organized in microfluidic chambers using poly-D-lysine-coated beads fixed to micropipettes that guide neurite elongation.

Circuiti neuronali riavvolgenti: un nuovo metodo per l&#39;estensione veloce del neurite e la connessione neuronale funzionale

Brain and spinal cord injury may lead to permanent disability and death because it is still not possible to regenerate neurons over long distances and ...

A Volumetric Method for Quantification of Cerebral Vasospasm in a Murine Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a subtype of hemorrhagic stroke. Cerebral vasospasm that occurs in the aftermath of the bleeding is an important factor determining patient outcome and is therefore frequently taken as a study endpoint. However, in small animal studies on SAH, quantification of cerebral vasospasm is a major challenge. Here, an ex vivo method is presented that allows quantification of volumes of entire vessel segments, which can be used as an objective measure to quantify cerebral vasospasm. In a first step, endovascular casting of the cerebral vasculature is performed using a radiopaque casting agent. Then, cross-sectional imaging data are acquired by micro computed tomography. The final step involves 3-dimensional reconstruction of the virtual vascular tree, followed by an algorithm to calculate center lines and volumes of the selected vessel segments. The method resulted in a highly accurate virtual reconstruction of the cerebrovascular tree shown by a diameter-based comparison of anatomical samples with their virtual reconstructions. Compared with vessel diameters alone, the vessel volumes highlight the differences between vasospastic and non-vasospastic vessels shown in a series of SAH and sham-operated mice.

The goal of this article is to present a method that allows a 3-dimensional reconstruction of the cerebrovascular tree in mice after micro computed tomography and determination of volumes of entire vessel segments that can be used to quantify cerebral vasospasm in murine models of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Un metodo volumetrico per la quantificazione di Vasospasm cerebrale in un modello murino di emorragia subaracnoidea

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a subtype of hemorrhagic stroke. Cerebral vasospasm that occurs in the aftermath of the bleeding is an important factor ...

The Power of Interstimulus Interval for the Assessment of Temporal Processing in Rodents

Temporal processing deficits have been implicated as a potential elemental dimension of higher-level cognitive processes, commonly observed in neurocognitive disorders. Despite the popularization of prepulse inhibition (PPI) in recent years, many current protocols promote using a percent of control measure, thereby precluding the assessment of temporal processing. The present study used cross-modal PPI and gap prepulse inhibition (gap-PPI) to demonstrate the benefits of employing a range of interstimulus intervals (ISIs) to delineate effects of sensory modality, psychostimulant exposure, and age. Assessment of sensory modality, psychostimulant exposure, and age reveals the utility of an approach varying the interstimulus interval (ISI) to establish the shape of the ISI function, including increases (sharper curve inflections) or decreases (flattening of the response amplitude curve) in startle amplitude. Additionally, shifts in peak response inhibition, suggestive of a differential sensitivity to the manipulation of ISI, are often revealed. Thus, the systematic manipulation of ISI affords a critical opportunity to evaluate temporal processing, which may reveal the underlying neural mechanisms involved in neurocognitive disorders.

Temporal processing, a preattentive process, may underlie deficits in higher-level cognitive processes, including attention, commonly observed in neurocognitive disorders. Using prepulse inhibition as an exemplar paradigm, we present a protocol for manipulating interstimulus interval (ISI) to establish the shape of the ISI function to provide an assessment of temporal processing.

Il potere di Interstimulus intervallo per la valutazione di elaborazione temporale in roditori

Temporal processing deficits have been implicated as a potential elemental dimension of higher-level cognitive processes, commonly observed in ...

&#181;Tongue: A Microfluidics-Based Functional Imaging Platform for the Tongue In Vivo

Intravital fluorescence microscopy is a tool used widely to study multicellular dynamics in a live animal. However, it has not been successfully used in the taste sensory organ. By integrating microfluidics into the intravital tongue imaging window, the &#181;Tongue provides reliable functional images of taste cells in vivo under controlled exposure to multiple tastants. In this paper, a detailed step-by-step procedure to utilize the &#181;Tongue system is presented. There are five subsections: preparing of tastant solutions, setting up of a microfluidic module, sample mounting, acquiring functional image data, and data analysis. Some tips and techniques to solve the practical issues that may arise when using the &#181;Tongue are also presented.

 &#181;Tongue: A Microfluidics-Based Functional Imaging Platform for the Tongue In Vivo

The article introduces the &#181;Tongue (microfluidics-on-a-tongue) device for functional taste cell imaging in vivo by integrating microfluidics into an intravital imaging window on the tongue.

μTongue: una piattaforma di imaging funzionale basata sulla microfluidica per la lingua in vivo

Intravital fluorescence microscopy is a tool used widely to study multicellular dynamics in a live animal. However, it has not been successfully used in ...