scholarly journals In situ hybridization at the electron microscope level: localization of transcripts on ultrathin sections of Lowicryl K4M-embedded tissue using biotinylated probes and protein A-gold complexes.

1986 ◽  
Vol 102 (5) ◽  
pp. 1646-1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Binder ◽  
S Tourmente ◽  
J Roth ◽  
M Renaud ◽  
W J Gehring

A technique has been developed for localizing hybrids formed in situ on semi-thin and ultrathin sections of Lowicryl K4M-embedded tissue. Biotinylated dUTP (Bio-11-dUTP and/or Bio-16-dUTP) was incorporated into mitochondrial rDNA and small nuclear U1 probes by nick-translation. The probes were hybridized to sections of Drosophila ovaries and subsequently detected with an anti-biotin antibody and protein A-gold complex. On semi-thin sections, probe detection was achieved by amplification steps with anti-protein A antibody and protein A-gold with subsequent silver enhancement. At the electron microscope level, specific labeling was obtained over structures known to be the site of expression of the appropriate genes (i.e., either over mitochondria or over nuclei). The labeling pattern at the light microscope level (semi-thin sections) was consistent with that obtained at the electron microscope level. The described nonradioactive procedures for hybrid detection on Lowicryl K4M-embedded tissue sections offer several advantages: rapid signal detection: superior morphological preservation and spatial resolution; and signal-to-noise ratios equivalent to radiolabeling.

1984 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 358-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Fakan ◽  
G Leser ◽  
T E Martin

The ultrastructural distribution of nuclear ribonucleoproteins (RNP) has been investigated by incubation of thin sections of mouse or rat liver, embedded in Lowicryl K4M or prepared by cryoultramicrotomy, with antibodies specific for RNP. The antibodies were localized by means of a protein A-colloidal gold complex. Anti-small nuclear (sn)RNP antibodies, specific for determinants of the nucleoplasmic snRNP species containing U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 RNAs, were found associated preferentially with perichromatin fibrils, interchromatin granules, and coiled bodies. This indicates an early association of snRNP with structural constituents containing newly synthesized heterogeneous nuclear RNA. It also suggests a possible structural role of some snRNPs in nuclear architecture. Antibodies against the core proteins of heterogeneous nuclear RNP particles associate preferentially with the border regions of condensed chromatin, and in particular with perichromatin fibrils and some perichromatin granules. These results are discussed in view of recent knowledge about the possible role of nucleoplasmic RNP-containing components in the functions of the cell nucleus.


1982 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Roth ◽  
E G Berger

An affinity-purified, monospecific rabbit antibody against soluble human milk galactosyltransferase was used to localize the enzyme in HeLa cells by immunofluorescence and by the protein A-gold technique at the electron microscope level. Specific immunofluorescence was observed in a juxtanuclear cytoplasmic region which was identified, on immunostained thin sections of low-temperature Lowicryl K4M-embedded HeLa cells, as Golgi apparatus. Label by gold particles was limited to two to three trans cisternae of the Golgi apparatus, indicating a compartmentalization of galactosyltransferase in the cisternal stack. Combination of preembedding thiamine pyrophosphatase cytochemistry, with postembedding immunostaining for galactosyltransferase proved codistribution of the two enzymes. However, the acid phosphatase-positive, trans-most cisterna was negative for galactosyltransferase. The close topological association of both galactosyltransferase and thiamine pyrophosphatase (or nucleoside diphosphatase) suggests a concerted action of both enzymes in glycosylation.


1976 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jacob ◽  
M. H. Moar ◽  
Katherine Gillies ◽  
D. Macleod ◽  
K. W. Jones

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 328-329
Author(s):  
J.M. Robinson ◽  
T. Takizawa ◽  
D.D. Vandré

Immunocytochemistry generally refers to methods directed toward obtaining information on the in situ distribution of antigens in cells and tissues. Immunocytochemical methods can be applied at either the light or electron microscope levels, or both in concert. The detection of antibody recognition of an antigen (i.e., localization of an antigen) relies upon a reporter system. At the light microscope level, enzymes (e.g., horseradish peroxidase) or fluorochromes are the most widely used reporters in immunocytochemistry. At the electron microscope level, particulate probes (e.g., colloidal gold) are the most widely used reporters. However, enzymes and even fluorochromes can be used at the EM level.In this abstract, we discuss our use of gold cluster immunoprobes as the reporter system in both light and electron microscope level immuncytochemistry. These gold cluster immunoprobes, are commercially known as NanogoldTM (NG). These probes are very small with a diameter of 1.4-nm.


Author(s):  
S. Q. Xiao ◽  
S. Baden ◽  
A. H. Heuer

The avian eggshell is one of the most rapidly mineralizing biological systems known. In situ, 5g of calcium carbonate are crystallized in less than 20 hrs to fabricate the shell. Although there have been much work about the formation of eggshells, controversy about the nucleation and growth mechanisms of the calcite crystals, and their texture in the eggshell, still remain unclear. In this report the microstructure and microchemistry of avian eggshells have been analyzed using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).Fresh white and dry brown eggshells were broken and fixed in Karnosky's fixative (kaltitanden) for 2 hrs, then rinsed in distilled H2O. Small speckles of the eggshells were embedded in Spurr medium and thin sections were made ultramicrotome.The crystalline part of eggshells are composed of many small plate-like calcite grains, whose plate normals are approximately parallel to the shell surface. The sizes of the grains are about 0.3×0.3×1 μm3 (Fig.l). These grains are not as closely packed as man-made polycrystalline metals and ceramics, and small gaps between adjacent grains are visible indicating the absence of conventional grain boundaries.


1990 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-341
Author(s):  
A.R. Leitch ◽  
W. Mosgoller ◽  
T. Schwarzacher ◽  
M.D. Bennett ◽  
J.S. Heslop-Harrison

In situ hybridization using biotinylated total genomic DNA and avidin detection systems was adapted for examination of thin-sectioned plant material in the light and electron microscopes. Root tip material was preserved prior to sectioning, so that the in vivo disposition of the chromatin was maintained. Use of total genomic DNA from Secale africanum as a probe enabled the chromatin from the two parental genomes in the grass hybrid Hordeum chilense × S. africanum to be distinguished. The biotinylated probe preferentially labelled the chromosomes of S. africanum origin. DNA-DNA hybrids were visualized at the light-microscope level by Texas Red fluorescence and at the electron-microscope level by the enzymic precipitation of DAB (diaminobenzidine) or by colloidal gold particles. The use of thin sections allowed the location of probe hybridization to be established unequivocally in both metaphase and interphase nuclei. Analysis of interphase nuclei showed that chromatin originating from the two parental genomes did not intermix but occupied distinct domains.


1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Yokota

Effect of particle size on labeling intensity in protein A-gold immunocytochemistry was studied. Catalase labeling of rat liver peroxisomes was used as a labeling model. Ultra-thin sections of Lowicryl K4M-embedded rat liver were stained for catalase with protein A-gold (pAg) probes. Five different sizes of colloidal gold probes, from 5 nm to 38 nm in diameter, were prepared. Labeling intensity decreased as the particle size of the pAg probes increased. The highest labeling was obtained by the 5-nm pAg probe and the lowest by the 38-nm pAg probe. Quantitative analysis also showed that labeling density was inversely proportional to the size of gold particles. The results suggest that the pAg probe with small gold particles has high sensitivity.


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