In Situ Hybridization Techniques for Paraffin-Embedded Adult Coral Samples

Summary

The goal of this protocol is to perform in situ hybridization on adult coral samples that have been embedded in paraffin and sectioned onto glass slides. This is a qualitative method used to visualize the spatial expression of an RNA anti-sense probe in paraffin-embedded tissues.

Abstract

Corals are important ocean invertebrates that are critical for overall ocean health as well as human health. However, due to human impacts such as rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, corals are increasingly under threat. To tackle these challenges, advances in cell and molecular biology have proven to be crucial for diagnosing the health of corals. Modifying some of the techniques commonly used in human medicine could greatly improve researchers' ability to treat and save corals. To address this, a protocol for in situ hybridization used primarily in human medicine and evolutionary developmental biology has been adapted for use in adult corals under stress.

The purpose of this method is to visualize the spatial expression of an RNA probe in adult coral tissue that has been embedded in paraffin and sectioned onto glass slides. This method focuses on removal of the paraffin and rehydration of the sample, pretreatment of the sample to ensure permeability of the sample, pre-hybridization incubation, hybridization of the RNA probe, and visualization of the RNA probe. This is a powerful method when using non-model organisms to discover where specific genes are expressed, and the protocol can be easily adapted for other non-model organisms. However, the method is limited in that it is primarily qualitative, because expression intensity can vary depending on the amount of time used during the visualization step and the concentration of the probe. Furthermore, patience is required, as this protocol can take up to 5 days (and in many cases, longer) depending on the probe being used. Finally, non-specific background staining is common, but this limitation can be overcome.

Introduction

Corals are critical ecosystem builders and important for biodiversity in ocean and human health^1,2,3. They are under threat due to climate change and other anthropogenic stressors, and many coral species are considered critically endangered. Thus, there is a significant need for cellular and molecular tools to diagnose corals under stress. Also, there is little understood about where genes are expressed within adult coral tissue, and therefore little understanding of the functions of these genes. To address this issue, we have adapted the in situ hybridization (ISH) ....

Protocol

1. Removal of Paraffin

Caution: Perform the following steps under a fume hood.

1. Dewax the thin-sectioned paraffin-embedded slides with 100% xylene under the hood in glass Coplin jars for 10 min. Do not use plastic Coplin jars, as xylene melts plastic. Sterilize the Coplin jars in an autoclave before use.
2. Prepare four sterile glass Coplin jars with the following: 100% ethanol, 80% ethanol, 70% ethanol and 60% ethanol. Dilute the ethanol with RNase-free water.
   1. Transfer the slides to the sterile glass Coplin jar with 100% ethanol and soak them for 10 min. After 10 min, empty the glass Coplin jar and replace wit....

Results

After completing this protocol, identification of cells and tissues that are expressing the RNA probe of interest will be achieved. The representative results for this protocol are for AP-1, FosB, and TNFR41. These results, previously published by Traylor-Knowles et al.¹¹, show spatial expression of RNA probes on adult corals that were exposed to heat stress. Two examples of different staining types are presented in Figure 1. .......

Discussion

The method described in this protocol has been modified from previous work in medical and evolutionary developmental research^8,9,10,12,17. This protocol focuses on the nuances of an in situ hybridization with a DIG-labeled RNA anti-sense probe on adult corals, which have been preserved and embedded in paraffin. This method can be easily transferred to.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Denhardt's solution	Affymetrix	70468 50 ML
Bioworld Alkaline phosphatase buffer	Fisher	50-198-724
Slide mailers	Fisher	12-587-17B
Bioworld Alkaline phosphatase buffer	Fisher	50-198-724
50 mL Falcon tubes	Fisher	14-959-49A
UltraPure Salmon Sperm DNA solution	Invitrogen	15632-011
PBS - Phosphate-Buffered Saline (10X) pH 7.4	Invitrogen	AM9625
UltraPure DNase/RNase-Free Distilled Water, 10 x 500 mL	Invitrogen	10977-023
UltraPure DNase/RNase-Free Distilled Water, 10 x 500 mL	Invitrogen	10977-023
UltraPure Salmon Sperm DNA solution	Invitrogen	15632-011
Slide white apex superior adhesive	Leica Biosystems	3800080
PBS solution, pH 7.4	Life Technologies	10010072
Proteinase K, Molecular Grade, 2 mL	New England Biolabs	P8107S
Super Pap Pen Liquid Blocker	Promega	22309
DIG Anti-Digoxigenin-AP Fab fragments	Roche	11093274910
BM Purple, 100 mL	Roche	11442074001
DIG Wash and Block Buffer Set	Roche	11585762001
NBT/BCIP	Roche	11681451001
Formaldehyde solution, 500 mL size	Sigma-Aldrich	252549-500ML
SSC Buffer 20X concentration	Sigma-Aldrich	S6639-1L
Acetic Anhydride	Sigma-Aldrich	320102-100ML
Formamide	Sigma-Aldrich	47670-250ML-F
Triethanolamine	Sigma-Aldrich	90279-100ML
Heparin sodium salt from porcine intestinal mucosa	Sigma-Aldrich	H3149-10KU
Xylenes, AR (ACS), For Histological Use	VWR	MK866806
Ethanol	VWR	EM-EX0276-4S
TE buffer	VWR	PAV6232
hybridization oven	VWR	97005-252, 97005-254
Orbital shaker	VWR	89032-088