Rapid<em> In Situ</em> Hybridisering bruker oligonukleotidprober på Paraformaldehyde-prefiks Brain of Rats med serotonergt syndrom
Summary
This protocol describes a rapid and simplified in situ hybridization method ideal forparaformaldehyde-prefixed brain, thus reducing the need for prolonged complex steps while using fresh frozen tissues. The method is validated using the identification of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene htr2a in rats.
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) toxicity may cause region-specific changes in serotonergic mRNA expression due to acute serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) syndrome. This hypothesis can be tested using in situ hybridization to detect the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene htr2a. In the past, such procedures, utilizing radioactive riboprobe, were difficult because of the complicated workflow that needs several days to perform and the added difficulty that the technique required the use of fresh frozen tissues maintained in an RNase-free environment. Recently, the development of short oligonucleotide probes has simplified in situ hybridization procedures and allowed the use of paraformaldehyde-prefixed brain sections, which are more widely available in laboratories. Here, we describe a detailed protocol using non-radioactive oligonucleotide probes on the prefixed brain tissues. Hybridization probes used for this study include dapB (a bacterial gene coding for dihydrodipicolinate reductase), ppiB (a housekeeping gene coding for peptidylprolyl isomerase B), and htr2a (a serotonin gene coding for 5-HT2A receptors). This method is relatively simply, cheap, reproducible and requires less than two days to complete.
Introduction
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) syndrome is an acute neurologic disorder caused by 5-HT-promoting drugs such as antidepressants1, while also occurring in situations of MDMA use for recreational purposes2. Molecular mechanisms responsible for mood swings, learning and memory deficits that occur in association with the acute syndrome are not well understood3,4. In situ hybridization is a powerful research tool allowing the detection and quantification of specific mRNAs expressed potentially at a single-cell level. The conventional way to perform in situ hybridization is to utilize a radioactive-labeled riboprobe that specifically hybridizes the gene of interest. However, a major drawback is that the method requires complicated and time-consuming probe preparation and hybridization steps, as well as access to fresh frozen tissues maintained in an RNase-free environment5,6.
Oligonucleotide probes have been recently developed to hybridize shorter RNA fragments than those required for riboprobes7. Furthermore, the probes produce a low background signal without sacrificing specificity8. This newly-developed probe technology can be used in situ hybridization on paraformaldehyde-prefixed brain tissues commonly available in immunocytochemical laboratories.
Here, we describe a protocol for in situ hybridization using oligonucleotide probes on paraformaldehyde-prefixed rat brain and compare findings with those noted in a fresh frozen brain5,6. This protocol is used to test the hypothesis that MDMA substance abuse causes changes in 5-HT2A receptor gene htr2a mRNA in the brain. We began the procedure with MDMA treatment followed by paraformaldehyde tissue perfusion of the animal, in situ hybridization of the thr2a probe, and data analysis. Note that dapB (the bacterial gene coding for dihydrodipicolinate reductase) is used as a negative control, and ppiB (housekeeping gene coding for peptidylprolyl isomerase B) as a positive control.
Protocol
Representative Results
Discussion
One of the major concerns of in situ hybridization test is to choose appropriate techniques used for RNA preservation because of RNase enzymes. It is well known that these enzymes are widely present in the cells and environment which can affect the results. However, enzyme activity can be quickly distinguished by placing the tissue in the dry ice/alcohol solution5,12. Although quick preservation is critical for hybridization using a riboprobe13, little is known about experimental conditions…
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
Denne studien ble støttet av NIH stipend (R15DA029863), Florida Atlantic University lavere forskningsstipend (M30014) og Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine forskningsstipend. Vi vil gjerne takke National Institute on Drug Abuse (Rockville, MD) for å gi (±) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (± MDMA) for dette arbeidet.
Materials
| RNAscope Negative Control Probe-DapB | Advanced cell diagnostic, INC | 310098 | |
| RNAscope Pretreat 4 | Advanced cell diagnostic, INC | 320046 | |
| RNAscope 2.0 HD Reagent Kit – Red | Advanced cell diagnostic, INC | 310036 | |
| RNAscope Probe – Rn-Ppib | Advanced cell diagnostic, INC | 313921 | |
| Rat Htr2a | Advanced cell diagnostic, INC | 300031 | |
| Cryostat | Leica | CM 1850 | |
| Horizontal shaker | VWR | 88032-088 | |
| Hybridization oven | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 222000 | |
| Superfrost Plus microscope slide | Fisher Scientific | 12-550-15 | |
| Hydrophobic pen | Vector | H-4000 | |
| Microscope | Olympus | Provis AX70 |
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