Immunofluorescence Microscopy of γH2AX and 53BP1 for Analyzing the Formation and Repair of DNA Double-strand Breaks

Summary

This manuscript provides a protocol for the analysis of DNA double-strand breaks by immunofluorescence microscopy of γH2AX and 53BP1.

Abstract

DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) are serious DNA lesions. Analysis of the formation and repair of DSB is relevant in a broad spectrum of research areas including genome integrity, genotoxicity, radiation biology, aging, cancer, and drug development. In response to DSB, the histone H2AX is phosphorylated at Serine 139 in a region of several megabase pairs forming discrete nuclear foci detectable by immunofluorescence microscopy. In addition, 53BP1 (p53 binding protein 1) is another important DSB-responsive protein promoting repair of DSB by nonhomologous end-joining while preventing homologous recombination. According to the specific functions of γH2AX and 53BP1, the combined analysis of γH2AX and 53BP1 by immunofluorescence microscopy may be a reasonable approach for a detailed analysis of DSB. This manuscript provides a step-by-step protocol supplemented with methodical notes for performing the technique. Specifically, the influence of the cell cycle on γH2AX foci patterns is demonstrated in normal fibroblasts of the cell line NHDF. Further, the value of the γH2AX foci as a biomarker is depicted in x-ray irradiated lymphocytes of a healthy individual. Finally, genetic instability is investigated in CD34+ cells of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia by immunofluorescence microscopy of γH2AX and 53BP1.

Introduction

DNA is continuously damaged by endogenous (e.g., replication stress, reactive oxygen species, intrinsic instability of DNA) and exogenous (e.g., chemical radicals, irradiation) sources (Figure 1)^1,2,3,4. Among DNA damage, DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) are particularly serious lesions and may induce cell death or carcinogenesis. About 50 DSB may arise per cell and cell cycle⁵. In mammalian cells, homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) develope....

Protocol

All methods described here have been approved by the Ethics Committee II of the Medical Faculty Mannheim of the Heidelberg University. Written informed consent was obtained from all individuals.

1. Preparation of Materials

1. Anticoagulant stock solution: Prepare an anticoagulant stock solution of 200 I.U. heparin per mL in 0.9% sodium chloride. Fill each of the collection tubes (draw volume 9 mL) with 2 mL of the anticoagulant stock solution before withdrawal of the blood or bone marrow samples.
2. Lysis solution for red cells: Prepare the 10x lysis solution for red cells with 82.91 g ....

Results

Analysis of γH2AX foci in cells is most accurate in the G0/G1 phase and the G2 phase when γH2AX foci appear as distinct fluorescent dots (Figure 5A). In contrast, analysis of γH2AX foci in cells during the S phase is complicated by dispersed pan-nuclear γH2AX speckles caused by the replication process (Figure 5B).

Fixation of the cells was performed with 4% PFA (10 min).......

Discussion

Immunofluorescence microscopy of γH2AX and 53BP1 is a useful method for analyzing formation and repair of DSB in a broad spectrum of research areas. Critical parameters that influence the outcome of the experiments are the phase of the cell cycle, the agents used for the fixation and permeabilization of the cells, the choice of the antibodies, and the hardware and software of the fluorescence microscope.

The influence of the cell cycle on γH2AX foci patterns was demonstrated by expon.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
RPMI medium	Sigma-Aldrich	R0883	Medium for cell culture
Heparin sodium	ratiopharm	PZN 3029843	Heparin 5,000 I.U. / mL
Sodium chloride solution 0.9%	B. Braun	PZN 1957154	Component of the anticoagulant stock solution
Ficoll-Paque Premium	GE Healthcare	17-5442-02	Medium for isolation of mononuclear cells
Trypsin solution 10X	Sigma-Aldrich	59427C	Enzyme for dissociation of fibroblasts in cell culture
CD34 MicroBead Kit	Miltenyi Biotec	130-046-702	Isolation of CD34+ myeloid progenitor cells
Diagnostic microscope slides	Thermo Scientific	ER-203B-CE24	Microscope slides
Megafuge 1.0 R	Heraeus	75003060	Tabletop centrifuge
Cytospin device
Lid	Heraeus	76003422	Lid for working without micro-tubes
Cyto container	Heraeus	75003416	Cyto container with 2 conical bores
Clip carrier	Heraeus	75003414	Carrier for holding a cyto container and a slide
Support insert	Heraeus	75003417	Support insert for holding a clip carrier
Triton X-100 (Octoxinol 9)	Thermo Scientific	85112	Detergent for permeabilization of cell membranes
Potassium hydroxide solution 1M	Merck Millipore	109107	Necessary for preparing the paraformaldehyde solution
Paraformaldehyde	Sigma-Aldrich	P6148	Fixation agent
Phosphate buffered saline	Sigma-Aldrich	D8537	Balanced salt solution
Chemiblocker	Merck Millipore	2170	Blocking agent
Mouse monoclonal anti-γH2AX antibody (JBW301)	Merck Millipore	05-636	Primary antibody for detection of γH2AX
Polyclonal rabbit anti-53BP1 antibody (NB100-304)	Novus Biologicals	NB100-304	Primary antibody for detection of 53BP1
Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated goat anti-mouse antibody	Invitrogen	A-11001	Secondary antibody
Alexa Fluor 555-conjugated donkey anti-rabbit antibody	Invitrogen	A-31572	Secondary antibody
Vectashield mounting medium	Vector Laboratories	H-1200	Contains DAPI for staining of DNA
Axio Scope.A1	Zeiss	490035	Fluorescence microscope
Cool Cube 1 CCD camera	Metasystems	H-0310-010-MS	Camera system for digital recording
Isis software	Metasystems	Not applicable	Microscope software