This video demonstrates an electron microscopy technique for visualizing neurotransmitter receptor localization in retinal synapses. The retinal sections contain retinal ganglion cells that exhibit membrane-bound neurotransmitter receptors and are labeled with cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Upon labeling the markers with gold nanoparticle-conjugated antibodies and counterstaining the section with heavy metals, the RGC receptors are visualized under a microscope.
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Method Article
High-Resolution Imaging of Neurotransmitter Receptors at Retinal Synapses
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April 28th, 2025
In This Article
Abstract
Protocol
All procedures involving animal samples have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate animal ethical review committee.
1. Retinal Tissue Fixation
- Assemble the following materials and tools: A dissecting microscope, 2 forceps with very fine tips, scissors, cellulose filter paper, plastic pipette and a microscope slide.
- Anesthetize the rat in a closed chamber with 2.0 ml halothane (an inhalant....
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Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraformaldehyde | EMS | 15710 | |
| Glutarldehyde | EMS | 16019 | |
| NaH2PO4 | Sigma | S9638 | |
| Na2HPO4 | Sigma | 7782-85-6 | |
| CaCl2 | Sigma | C-8106 | |
| BSA | Sigma | A-7030 | |
| Triton X-100 | Sigma | T-8787 | |
| NaOH | Sigma | 221465 | |
| NaN3 | JT Baker | V015-05 | |
| Glycerol | Gibco BRL | 15514-011 | |
| Lowicryl HM 20 | Polysciences | 15924-1 | |
| Tris-Base | Fisher | BP151-500 | |
| Tris | Fisher | 04997-100 | |
| Anti-GluN2A | Millipore | AB1555P | Dilution 1/50 |
| Anti-GluN2B | Millipore | AB1557P | Dilution 1/30 |
| Anti-GluA2/3 | Millipore | AB1506 | Dilution 1/30 |
| Anti-PSD-95 | Millipore | MA1–046 | Dilution 1/100 |
| Donkey anti-rabbit IgG-10 nm gold particles | EMS | 25704 | Dilution 1/20 |
| Donkey anti-mouse IgG-10 nm gold particles | EMS | 25814 | Dilution 1/20 |
| Donkey anti-mouse IgG-5 nm gold particles | EMS | 25812 | Dilution 1/20 |
| Donkey anti-goat IgG-18 nm gold particles | Jackson ImmunoResearch | 705-215-147 | Dilution 1/20 |
| Formvar-Carbon coated nickel-slot grids. | EMS | FCF2010-Ni | |
| Uranyl acetate | EMS | 22400-1 | |
| Methanol | EMS | 67-56-1 | |
| Lead citrate | Leica | ||
| Leica EM AFS | Leica | ||
| Leica EM CPC | Leica | ||
| Ultromicrotome | Leica | ||
| JEOL 1200 EM | JEOL | ||
| liquid nitrogen | Roberts Oxygen | ||
| Propane | Roberts Oxygen | ||
| CTB | List Biological Laboratories | 104 | 1-1.2% |
| Anti-CTB | List Biological Laboratories | 703 | Dilution 1/4000 |
