Rapid Genotyping of Animals Followed by Establishing Primary Cultures of Brain Neurons

Summary

We describe procedures for labeling and genotyping newborn mice and generating primary neuronal cultures from them. The genotyping is rapid, efficient and reliable, and allows for automated nucleic-acid extraction. This is especially useful for neonatally lethal mice and their cultures that require prior completion of genotyping.

Abstract

High-resolution analysis of the morphology and function of mammalian neurons often requires the genotyping of individual animals followed by the analysis of primary cultures of neurons. We describe a set of procedures for: labeling newborn mice to be genotyped, rapid genotyping, and establishing low-density cultures of brain neurons from these mice. Individual mice are labeled by tattooing, which allows for long-term identification lasting into adulthood. Genotyping by the described protocol is fast and efficient, and allows for automated extraction of nucleic acid with good reliability. This is useful under circumstances where sufficient time for conventional genotyping is not available, e.g., in mice that suffer from neonatal lethality. Primary neuronal cultures are generated at low density, which enables imaging experiments at high spatial resolution. This culture method requires the preparation of glial feeder layers prior to neuronal plating. The protocol is applied in its entirety to a mouse model of the movement disorder DYT1 dystonia (ΔE-torsinA knock-in mice), and neuronal cultures are prepared from the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum of these mice. This protocol can be applied to mice with other genetic mutations, as well as to animals of other species. Furthermore, individual components of the protocol can be used for isolated sub-projects. Thus this protocol will have wide applications, not only in neuroscience but also in other fields of biological and medical sciences.

Introduction

Rodent models of genetic diseases have proven useful in establishing the physiological functions of normal proteins and nucleic acids, as well as the pathophysiological consequences of defects in these. Examples include mice deficient for proteins involved in key cellular functions, as well as mouse models of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. However, certain genetic manipulations can lead to neonatal lethality shortly or a few days after birth. In these cases, primary cell cultures are an important tool because live cells can be obtained from the embryonic or neonatal pups before death, they can be maintained for at least a few weeks in vitro, and d....

Protocol

NOTE: All animal procedures performed in this study were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Iowa.

1. Long-term Identification of Mice Using Tattooing the Paw Pads

1. Immobilize a paw with the paw pad (plantar surface) facing the experimenter. Hold the paw with the thumb and the index finger. Be careful not to pinch the paw.
   NOTE: Stable immobilization is important to ensure that the tattoo pigment is placed into the dermis of the paw pad, and thus is permanent ⁷.
2. Swab the paw pad with 70% ethanol on a gauze sponge or swab.
3. Apply skin oil to a cotton....

Results

As an example of the application of this protocol, representative results are shown for labeling mice by tattooing, reliable genotyping under various experimental conditions, and establishing primary neuronal cultures on glial feeder layers.

Tattooing

Newborn pups were labeled on the paw pads using a tattooing system ('Newborn' in Figure 1). The labels remained clearly visible at 3 weeks ('3-week-old') and 32 weeks of age ('32-week-.......

Discussion

The protocol presented here includes procedures for tattooing to label/identify mice, for genotyping mice from tail tips, and for culturing mouse brain neurons at low density. In one round of experiments using 6-8 pups, these procedures typically require ~0.5 hr, ~4 hr and ~2 hr, respectively, at a total of 6-7 hr. This makes it practical for a single experimenter to complete all the procedures necessary from the time of the pups' birth to the plating of neuronal cultures – in less than a single working day (wi.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
REAGENTS - tattooing
Machine Cleanser	Animal Identification and Marking Systems, Inc.	NMCR3	This is used to clean the needles and the holder after tattooing.
Machine Drying Agent	Animal Identification and Marking Systems, Inc.	NDAR4	This is used to dry the needles and holder after cleaning.
Neonate Tattoo Black Pigment	Animal Identification and Marking Systems, Inc.	NBP01
Skin Prep Applicator	Animal Identification and Marking Systems, Inc.	NSPA1	Q-tip.
Skin Prep solution	Animal Identification and Marking Systems, Inc.	NSP01	This reagent delivers a thin layer of oil that enhances the efficiency of tattooing and prevents tattoo fading, by (information from vendor): 1) preventing non-tattooed skin from being stained temporarily, thereby allowing the quality of a paw pad tattoo to be easily evaluated before the pup is returned to its home cage – the stained skin surface can be confused with the tattooed skin, 2) reducing skin damage during tattooing – softening the skin and lubricating the needle will help the needle penetrate the skin without causing skin damage, and 3) preventing molecular oxygen from entering the skin, thereby reducing inflammatory responses to reactive oxygen species that can be generated.
REAGENTS - genotyping
EZ Fast Tissue/Tail PCR Genotyping Kit (Strip Tube Format)	EZ BioResearch LLC	G2001-100
2X PCR Ready Mix II	EZ BioResearch LLC	G2001-100	A red, loading dye for electrophoresis is included in the 2X PCR Ready Mix solution.
Tissue Lysis Solution A	EZ BioResearch LLC	G2001-100	Prepare DNA Extraction Solution by mixing 20 µl of Tissue Lysis Solution A and 180 µl of Tissue Lysis Solution B per specimen.
Tissue Lysis Solution B	EZ BioResearch LLC	G2001-100	Prepare DNA Extraction Solution by mixing 20 µl of Tissue Lysis Solution A and 180 µl of Tissue Lysis Solution B per specimen.
Acetic acid, glacial	VWR	BDH 3092
Agarose optimized grade, molecular biology grade	rpi	A20090-500	We use 2% agarose gels in TAE buffer containing the SYBR Safe DNA gel stain (diluted 10,000-fold) or ethidium bromide (0.5 µg/ml gel volume).
Ethidium bromide	Sigma-Aldrich	E7637-1G
Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA)	Fisher	BP120-500
Filtered Pipet Tips, Aerosol-Free, 0.1-10 µl	Dot Scientific Inc	UG104-96RS	Use pipette tips that are sterile and free of DNA, RNase and DNase. For all steps involving DNA, use filtered pipette tips to avoid cross-contamination.
Filtered Pipet Tips, Premium Fit Filter Tips, 0.5-20 µl	Dot Scientific Inc	UG2020-RS	Use pipette tips that are sterile and free of DNA, RNase and DNase. For all steps involving DNA, use filtered pipette tips to avoid cross-contamination.
Filtered Pipet Tips, Premium Fit Filter Tips, 1-200 µl	Dot Scientific Inc	UG2812-RS	Use pipette tips that are sterile and free of DNA, RNase and DNase. For all steps involving DNA, use filtered pipette tips to avoid cross-contamination.
Molecular weight marker, EZ DNA Even Ladders 100 bp	EZ BioResearch LLC	L1001	We use either of these three molecular weight markers.
Molecular weight marker, EZ DNA Even Ladders 1000 bp	EZ BioResearch LLC	L1010
Molecular weight marker, TrackIt, 100 bp DNA Ladder	GIBCO-Invitrogen	10488-058
PCR tubes, 8-tube strips with individually attached dome top caps, natural, 0.2 ml	USA Scientific	1402-2900	Use tubes that are sterile and free of DNA, RNase and DNase. An 8-tube strip is easy to handle and to group the specimens than individual tubes.
PCR tubes, Ultraflux Individual	rpi	145660	Use tubes that are sterile and free of DNA, RNase and DNase.
Seal-Rite 0.5 ml microcentrifuge tube, natural	USA Scientific	1605-0000	Use tubes that are sterile and free of DNA, RNase and DNase.
SYBR Safe DNA gel stain * 10,000x concentration in DMSO	GIBCO-Invitrogen	S33102
Tris base	rpi	T60040-1000
Primers for amplifying Tor1a gene in ΔE-torsinA knock-in mice			5'-AGT CTG TGG CTG GCT CTC CC-3' (forward) and 5'-CCT CAG GCT GCT CAC AAC CAC-3' (reverse) (reference 18). These primers were used at a final concentration of 1.0 ng/µl (~0.16 µM) (reference 2).
Primers for amplifying Tfap2a gene in wild-type mice			5'-GAA AGG TGT AGG CAG AAG TTT GTC AGG GC-3' (forward), 5'-CGT GTG GCT GTT GGG GTT GTT GCT GAG GTA-3' (reverse) for the 498-bp amplicon, 5'-CAC CCT ATC AGG GGA GGA CAA CTT TCG-3' (forward), 5'-AGA CAC TCG GGC TTT GGA GAT CAT TC-3' (reverse) for the 983-bp amplicon, and 5'-CAC CCT ATC AGG GGA GGA CAA CTT TCG-3' (forward), 5'-ACA GTG TAG TAA GGC AAA GCA AGG AG-3' (reverse) for the 1990-bp amplicon. These primers are used at 0.5 µM.
REAGENTS - cell culture
5-Fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine	Sigma-Aldrich	F0503-100MG	See comments section of uridine for more information.
B-27 supplement	GIBCO-Invitrogen	17504-044
Cell Culture Dishes 35 x 10 mm Dishes, Tissue Culture-treated	BD falcon	353001
Cell Culture Flasks, T25, Tissue Culture-treated, Canted-neck, plug-seal cap, 25 cm2 Growth Area, 70 ml	BD falcon	353082
Cell Culture Flasks, T75, Tissue Culture-treated, Canted-neck, vented cap, 75 cm2 Growth Area, 250 ml	BD falcon	353136
Conical Tube, polypropylene, 15 ml	BD falcon	352095
Countess (cell number counter) chamber slides	GIBCO-Invitrogen	C10312
Cytosine β-D-Arabinofuranoside hydrochloride (Ara-C hydrochloride)	Sigma-Aldrich	C6645-100mg
D-(+)-Glucose (Dextrose) anhydrous, SigmaUltra, 99.5% (GC)	Sigma-Aldrich	G7528-250G
Dish, Petri glass 100 x 15 mm	Pyrex	3160-101
Distilled water	GIBCO-Invitrogen	15230-147
DNase Type II	Sigma-Aldrich	D4527-200KU	Stock solution is prepared at 1,500 units/20 μl = 75,000 units/ml in distilled water.
Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), high glucose, GlutaMAX, pyruvate	GIBCO-Invitrogen	10569-010, 500 ml
Fast PES Filter Unit, 250 ml, 50 mm diameter membrane, 0.2 µm Pore Size	Nalgene	568-0020
Fast PES Filter Unit, 500 ml, 90 mm diameter membrane, 0.2 µm Pore Size	Nalgene	569-0020
Fetal bovine serum (FBS)	GIBCO-Invitrogen	26140-079
Glass coverslip, 12 mm Round, thickness 0.09–0.12 mm, No. 0	Carolina	633017
GlutaMAX-I	GIBCO-Invitrogen	35050-061
Hanks' Balanced Salts	Sigma-Aldrich	H2387-10X
HEPES, ≥99.5% (titration)	Sigma-Aldrich	H3375-250G
Hydrochloric acid, 37%, A.C.S reagent	Sigma-Aldrich	258148-100 ML
Insulin	Sigma-Aldrich	I5500-250 mg
Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, MgSO4•(7H2O), BioUltra, ≥99.5% (Fluka)	Sigma-Aldrich	63138-250G
Matrigel Basement Membrane Matrix solution, Phenol Red-Free	BD Biosciences	356237	This is the coating material for coverslips and flasks. 1) To prepare it, thaw the Matrigel Basement Membrane Matrix solution on ice, which usually takes ~1 day. Using a pre-cooled pipette, aliquot the thawed solution into pre-cooled T25 flasks on ice, and store the flasks at -20 °C. To prepare the working Matrigel solution, thaw the aliquotted Matrigel in a flask on ice, dilute 50-fold by adding pre-cooled MEM solution and keep the diluted solution at 4 °C. It is important to pre-cool all cultureware and media that come into contact with Matrigel, except during and after the coating of coverslips, to prevent it from prematurely forming a gel. 2) To coat the glass coverslips or culture flasks with Matrigel, apply the Matrigel solution to the surface. Before plating cells, it is important to completely dry up the surface. For this purpose, it might be helpful to aspirate Matrigel during the cellular centrifugation immediately before plating the cells and to allow enough time for drying.
Minimum Essential Medium (MEM)	GIBCO-Invitrogen	51200-038
MITO+ Serum Extender, 5 ml	BD Biosciences	355006
Multiwell Plates, Tissue Culture-treated 24-well plate	BD falcon	353047
Multiwell Plates, Tissue Culture-treated 6-well plate	BD falcon	353046
Neurobasal-A Medium (1X), liquid	GIBCO-Invitrogen	10888-022
Nitric Acid	VWR	bdh 3044
NS (Neuronal Supplement) 21	prepared in the lab		Source: reference 69
Pasteur pipets, 5 ¾”	Fisher	13-678-6A	Use this cotton-plugged 5 ¾” Pasteur pipette for cellular trituration. Fire-polish the tip beforehand to smooth the cut surface and to reduce the internal diameter to 50-80% of the original. Too small a tip will disrupt the cells and reduce cell viability, but too large a tip will decrease the efficiency of trituration.
Pasteur pipets, 9”	Fisher	13-678-6B
Potassium chloride (KCl), SigmaUltra, ≥99.0%	Sigma-Aldrich	P9333-500G
Serological pipet, 2 ml	BD falcon	357507
Serological pipet, 5 ml	BD falcon	357543
Serological pipet, 10 ml	BD falcon	357551
Serological pipet, 25 ml	BD falcon	357525
Serological pipet, 50 ml	BD falcon	357550
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3, Sodium hydrogen carbonate), SigmaUltra, ≥99.5%	Sigma-Aldrich	S6297-250G
Sodium chloride (NaCl), SigmaUltra, ≥99.5%	Sigma-Aldrich	S7653-250G
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), pellets, 99.998% trace metals basis	Sigma-Aldrich	480878-250G
Sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate (Na2HPO4•(7H2O)), ≥99.99%, Aldrich	Sigma-Aldrich	431478-250G
Sucrose, SigmaUltra, ≥99.5% (GC)	Sigma-Aldrich	S7903-250G
Syringe filter, sterile, 0.2 µm	Corning	431219
Syringe, 3 ml	BD falcon	309585
Transferrin, Holo, bovine plasma	Calbiochem	616420
Trypan Blue stain, 0.4%	GIBCO-Invitrogen	T10282	This is used for counting live/dead cells. Renew an old trypan blue solution if it is re-used many times (e.g. several times a week for several weeks), because it will form precipitates and result in erroneous readouts of cellular density.
Trypsin, type XI	Sigma-Aldrich	T1005-5G
Trypsin-EDTA solution, 0.25%	GIBCO-Invitrogen	25200-056
Uridine	Sigma-Aldrich	U3003-5G	Stock solution is prepared at 50-mg 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine and 125 mg uridine in 25 ml DMEM (8.12 and 20.48 mM, respectively).
REAGENTS - immunocytochemistry
Antibody, rabbit polyclonal anti-MAP2	Merck Millipore	AB5622
Antibody, mouse monoclonal anti-GFAP cocktail	Merck Millipore	NE1015
EQUIPMENT - tattooing
AIMS	Animal Identification and Marking Systems, Inc.	NEO–9	This Neonate Rodent Tattooing System is an electric system that works by rapidly moving 1- or 3-point tattoo needles vertically into the skin. Activate the tattoo machine once for approximately 0.5 sec, while the tattoo needle tips are kept perpendicular to the skin surface. We prefer three-needle tattooing to maximize the tattooed area, but one-needle tattooing is effective on narrower areas, e.g. the toes, or if fine mechanical control is necessary, e.g. when numbers are tattooed. Two rounds of tattooing at the slowest speed (setting "1" out of 3 steps) are typically sufficient to produce a visible and long-lasting tattoo of the paw pads.
EQUIPMENT - genotyping
Electrophoresis system, horizontal, Wide Mini–Sub Cell GT	BIO–RAD	170–4405	Typical electrophoresis parameters are electrical field strength at 6 V/cm and 25 min duration for a 10 cm gel.
FluorChem 8800	ProteinSimple	FluorChem 8800
PCR, MJ Mini Thermal Cycler	BIO-RAD	PTC-1148EDU	Our PCR reactions for the Tor1a gene in ΔE-torsinA knock-in mice are as follows: 1 cycle of denaturation at 94 °C for 3 min, 35 cycles of denaturation at 94 °C for 30 sec, annealing at 58 °C for 30 sec, extension at 72 °C for 2 min. This is followed by final extension at 72 °C for 10 min, and holding at 4 °C.
Power supply, PowerPac Basic	BIO-RAD	164-5050
EQUIPMENT - cell culture
Automated cell counter, Countess	GIBCO-Invitrogen	C10310	This automated cell counter separately measures the densities of live and dead cells (non stained and stained by trypan blue, respectively). It is important to know the optimal range of density measurements: the counter that we use has the highest accuracy in the range from 1 x 105 to 4 x 106 cells/ml. If the measured cell density values fall outside the recommended range, adjust the resuspension volume appropriately.
Biological Safety Cabinet, Class II, Type A2	NUAIRE	NU-425-400	This hood is used for all cell culture procedures, except for brain dissection.
CO2 Incubator, AutoFlow, Humidity Control Water Jacket	NUAIRE	NU-4850
Horizontal Clean Bench	NUAIRE	NU-201-330	This clean bench is used for brain dissection (steps 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 of "Brain Dissection and Cellular Dissociation)".
Orbit LS Low Speed Shaker	Labnet	S2030-LS-B
SORVALL RC-6 Plus Superspeed Centrifuge	Fisher	46910 (centrifuge)/46922 (rotor)