FISHing for Chick Genes: Triple-Label Whole-Mount Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization Detects Simultaneous and Overlapping Gene Expression in Avian Embryos

Nathaniel Denkers, Pilar García-Villalba, Christopher K. Rodesch, Kandice R. Nielson, Teri Jo Mauch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Multi-color whole-mount in situ hybridization is a powerful technique for comparing the spatial expression patterns of two or more genes in developing embryos. We have developed an amplified triple-label whole-mount fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol that permits detection of three different mRNAs in a single embryo. Our protocol uses simultaneous in situ hybridization to haptenylated riboprobes, followed by sequential antibody detection using anti-hapten antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase, and the tyramide signal amplification (TSA) fluorescence detection system. Conventional fluorescence microscopy identifies areas of overlapping gene expression at the tissue level, whereas confocal fluorescence microscopy permits single-cell resolution and differentiates specialized cell types within a given tissue. This protocol will provide researchers engaged in the use of FISH with a solid starting point for adapting their own in situ hybridization protocols, either alone or in combination with immunohistochemistry or green fluorescence protein colocalization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)651-657
Number of pages7
JournalDevelopmental Dynamics
Volume229
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Avian
  • Chick
  • Chordin
  • Colocalization
  • Confocal
  • Embryo
  • Fluorescence in situ hybridization
  • Mesoderm
  • Paraxis
  • Pax-2
  • Whole-mount

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Biology

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