This video demonstrates a technique for the immunolabeling of sigma-1 receptors in a murine heart tissue section using quantum dots. The heart tissue is fixed, osmicated, stained, dehydrated, embedded in resin, and then sectioned. The sections are then treated with antibodies and labeled with quantum dots to demarcate the subcellular localization of Sigma-1 receptors using electron microscopy.
Protocol
1. Animal preparation Anesthetize the mice using 3% isoflurane. Open the chest by making a horizontal incision in the region above the middle abdomen and pulling the skin. Carefully make another incision to open the chest cavity without puncturing any other organs. Perfuse the heart through the apex first and then the right ventricle using cold 3% glutaraldehyde in cardioplegic solution (50 mM KCl, 5% dextrose in PBS, see Table 1) for 2 min to ensure com…