protocol describes a method for the synchronization of cell populations using centrifugal elutriation. The method relies on the fact that cell size increases linearly as cells proceed through the cell cycle. Cells of similar size (and cell cycle phase) are eluted stepwise from the cell chamber, with the smallest size (those in early G1) being eluted first. Using this procedure, it is possible to obtain relatively pure populations of cells at various points in G1, S, and G2/M. - [Read Cell Synchronization Using Centrifugal Elutriation Protocol]
This protocol describes a method for the synchronization of cell populations using centrifugal elutriation. The method relies on the fact that cell size increases linearly as cells proceed through the cell cycle. Cells of similar size (and cell cycle phase) are eluted stepwise from the cell chamber, with the smallest size (those in early G1) being eluted first. Using this procedure, it is possible to obtain relatively pure populations of cells at various points in G1, S, and G2/M. - [Read Cell Synchronization Using Centrifugal Elutriation Protocol]
Manual measurement and manipulation of the cell surface requires access to the cells, usually in an open chamber. Temperature-controlled chambers or stage inserts are preferred for maintaining physiological activity during the experiment. For example, heated culture dishes with coverslip glass bottoms (Bioptechs) permit high-resolution fluorescence microscopy of living cells during force application. - [Read Chambers for Examination of Live Cells under Mechanical Stress Protocol]
Protocol describes the use of chromatin immunoprecipitation technology (ChIP) to analyze interactions of proteins or protein complexes with DNA in vivo. In this approach, the material is fixed with formaldehyde to preserve DNA-protein and protein-protein associations, the cells are lysed, and the chromatin is cut and solubilized. The chromatin suspension is immunoprecipitated with an antibody against the protein(s) of interest, and the coimmunoprecipitated DNA fragments are analyzed. - [Read Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of Protein Complexes Protocol]
Protocol describes three standard methods to construct bacteriophage M13 recombinants: (1) ligating insert DNA to a linearized vector, prepared by cleavage of M13 RF with a single restriction enzyme; (2) using alkaline phosphatase to suppress self-ligation of the linearized vector, and (3) using M13 RF cleaved with two restriction enzymes for directional cloning. - [Read Cloning into Bacteriophage M13 Vectors Protocol]
Pairs of oligonucleotide primers used in PCR are often designed with restriction sites in their 5' regions. In many cases, the sites are different in the two primers. In this case, amplification generates a target fragment whose termini now carry new restriction sites that can be used for directional cloning into plasmid vectors. The purified fragment and the vector are digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes, ligated together, and transformed into E. coli. - [Read Cloning PCR Products by Addition of Restriction Sites to the Termini of Amplified DNA Protocol]
This method of direct cloning takes advantage of the unpaired adenosyl residue added to the 3' terminus of amplified DNAs by Taq and other thermostable polymerases. - [Read Cloning PCR Products into T Vectors Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for collecting blastocysts from pregnant female mice at 3.5 to 4.5 days post coitum (dpc). The blastocysts can then be injected with embryonic stem cells to make chimeras. - [Read Collecting Blastocysts Protocol]
Protocol describes a method to collect early embryos from 6-week-old mice. Subsequently, the isolated embryos can be injected with double-stranded RNA to induce knockdown of a gene of interest. - [Read Collection of Early Mouse Embryos for RNAi Protocol]
Protocol describes a method to collect oocytes from 6-week-old mice. Subsequently, the isolated oocytes can be injected with double-stranded RNA to induce knockdown of a gene of interest. - [Read Collection of Mouse Oocytes for RNAi Protocol]
Protocol describes the use of PCR to screen for bacteria that carry recombinant plasmids. The PCR can be carried out using the same primers as for amplification of the cloned insert. To determine the orientation of the insert, a third, insert-specific primer that is asymmetrically distanced from the clonal insertion site can be used. - [Read Colony PCR Protocol II]
In this protocol, sample and competitor RNAs are reverse transcribed (separately) in a pilot experiment. A constant amount of sample RT product is then combined with a 2-logserial dilution of competitor RT product for PCR. Procedure provides an approximate copy number for the sample, which is then fine-tuned by repeating the experiment with a series of twofold dilutions of competitor. The experiment includes controls for sample-to-sample variations in RT efficiency. - [Read Competitive RT-PCR: Estimation of Copy Number Protocol]
The first step in competitive RT-PCR is the synthesis and purification of the synthetic competitor. This is an RNA molecule designed to be reverse-transcribed and PCR-amplified with the same efficiency as the endogenous transcript of interest. Once the competitor molecule has been prepared, as described in this protocol, competitive PCR can be carried out. - [Read Competitive RT-PCR: Preparation of Competitor RNA Protocol]
Ultrafiltration is an alternative to ethanol precipitation for the concentration and desalting of nucleic acid solutions. It requires no phase change and is particularly useful for dealing with very low concentrations of nucleic acids. This protocol describes the use of the Microcon cartridge, a centrifugal ultrafiltration device, to concentrate and desalt nucleic acid solutions. - [Read Concentrating and Desalting Nucleic Acids with Microconcentrators Protocol]
Protocol for configuration, column construction, and column packing for a capillary liquid chromatography system. Protocol describes a procedure for adapting conventional HPLC systems to provide accurate low-flow rates (0.4-4 µl/min) and gradients required to operate slurry-packed capillary columns. A key component of this system is a commercial axial-beam longitudinal flow cell that can be fitted to several commercial UV detectors. - [Read Configuration Column Construction Column Packing for Capillary Liquid Chromatography]
The following protocol can be used for the development of stable cell lines expressing GFP fusion proteins. Although optimal transfection procedures (e.g., calcium phosphate, electroporation, or FuGENE 6 [Roche Applied Science]) vary depending on cell type, this general transfection procedure has been successful for stable transfection of HeLa, A-431, U2OS, BHK, and HT1080 cells. - [Read Constructing and Expressing GFP Fusion Proteins]
In Vitro Translated Xenopus Mos Kinase Assay Protocol. In response to progesterone, immature Xenopus oocytes mature to eggs that can be fertilized. The Mos protein kinase is essential for oocyte maturation, most likely due to its ability to activate the MAP kinase cascade. This MAP kinase cascade eventually leads to the activation of Cdc2/cyclin B and entry into M phase. In this protocol, tagged Mos kinase is translated in vitro, immunopurified, and used in a kinase assay.