The technique of JC-1 staining has been developed with the intent to detect DY in intact, viable cells. For this purpose JC-1 acts as a marker of mitochondrial activity, since the formation of J-aggregates, which give red emission, is reversible. Cells with high DY are those forming J-aggregates, thus showing high red fluorescence. On the other hand, cells with low DY are those in which JC-1 maintains (or re-acquire) monomeric form, thus showing only green fluorescence. - [Read Analysis of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential with the Sensitive Fluorescent Probe JC-1]
There are several manual methods that can be used to perform tissue microdissection. Techniques using hand-held tools as well as mechanical micromanipulator-based approaches have been described. However, speed and precision are the most important parameters and any method that achieves these is adequate. Investigators should also expect to invest time initially by practicing on 10 to 20 cases to begin to feel comfortable with the technique. - [Read Manual Microdissection]
Early embryos (0-17 hours or until cuticle formation) are treated with a mixture of organic solvents, formaldehyde, and alcohols, as described here. The cuticles of late-stage embryos are usually opened by sonication. Tissues from more advanced stages of development are normally dissected by hand and then fixed and stained in a standard paraformaldehyde/detergent combination - [Read Preparing Early Whole-Mount Drosophila Embryos for Immunostaining Protocol]
Early and late embryos are treated with a mixture of organic solvents, formaldehyde, and alcohols. The cuticles of late-stage embryos (17-22 hours or until hatching) are usually opened by sonication, as described here. Tissues from later stages of development are normally dissected by hand and then fixed and stained in a standard paraformaldehyde/detergent combination. - [Read Preparing Late Whole-Mount Drosophila Embryos for Immunostaining Protocol]
Although Percoll gradients were able to provide a purified sporocyst fraction, because these particles do not all band in a discrete manner in such gradients, they were unable to provide a simultaneous isolation of a pure oocyst wall fraction. Gradients formed from this protocol on the other hand are able to provide purified sporocysts and oocyst walls in the same gradient. - [Read Purification of Oocyst Walls and Sporocysts from Toxoplasma gondii Protocol]
A Single Stranded Plasmid DNA Isolation Protocol describing the production and isolation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) using bacteriophagemid-containing bacteria and helper phage. Infection of the host cells with helper phage allows for packaging of ssDNA into bacteriophage. The ssDNA can then be isolated from phage particles.
Tubulin is polymerized into microtubules by incubating tubulin at 37°C with GTP. A nucleation seed is added when the purpose is to assay microtubule elongation. Tubulin can also be polymerized for the purposes of recycling the tubulin or labeling the microtubules with fluorescently labeled tubulin. Based on the protocol by Timothy Mitchison of Harvard University.
A single step RNA isolation protocol using Phenol Chloroform Extraction and Acid Guanidinium Thiocyanate. This RNA isolation method uses the fact that guanidinium thiocyanate can simultaneously lyse the cells and inactive cellular RNAses during the initial RNA isolation step allow a single step in the method.
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.
3' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends RACE Using PCR Protocol. This protocol contains the steps for 3' end rapid amplification of mRNA by PCR. The first-strand cDNA is synthesized from total or poly(A+) RNA by priming from the poly-A tail of the mRNA using a oligo (dT) adaptor primer. The cDNA is then amplified via PCR using a gene-specific primer and an adaptor primer.
Histone H1 Kinase Activity Assay Protocol. This protocol describes assaying kinase activity of a putative kinase using Histone H1 as the substrate. Histone H1 is the canonical kinase substrate in this type of assay. Phosphorylation of Histone H1 is assessed by SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography.