Simple and universally applicable methods for staining fixed cells are presented, as are methods that utilize detergents and proteolytic treatment to permeabilize cells. Additionally, supravital cell staining with Hoechst 33342, which is primarily used for sorting live cells for subsequent culturing based on DNA-content differences, is also described. Also presented are methods for staining of cell nuclei isolated from paraffin-embedded tissues, and deconvolution of DNA-content-frequency... - [Read Analysis of Cellular DNA Content by Flow Cytometry Protocol]
Protocol describes the quantitation of DNA using Hoechst 33258, a fluorescent dye that binds to double-stranded DNA. Fluorometry is simple and more sensitive than spectrophotometry, and allows the detection of nanogram quantities of DNA. The assay can only be used to measure the concentration of DNAs whose sizes exceed ~1 kb, as Hoechst 33258 binds poorly to smaller DNA fragments. - [Read Fluorometric Quantitation of DNA Using Hoechst 33258 Protocol]
Specific molecular components can be efficiently labeled by a combination of three methods: chemical transfection of GFP-fusion constructs, staining of chromosomes with the DNA-specific, fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342, and microinjection of fluorescently conjugated proteins. This procedure provides an example of using all three methods in sequence to label components of living HeLa cells. These methods should be followed in the order presented, but any of them can be omitted when not needed. - [Read Imaging Hoechst-Labeled Chromosomes and Fluorescent Proteins during the Cell Cycle]
Fluorescence microscopy provides a powerful tool for imaging molecular components in living cells. Specific molecular components can be efficiently labeled by a combination of three methods: chemical transfection of GFP-fusion constructs, staining of chromosomes with the DNA-specific, fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342, and microinjection of fluorescently conjugated proteins. This procedure provides an example of using all three methods in sequence to label components of living HeLa cells. - [Read Imaging Hoechst-Labeled Chromosomes and Fluorescent Proteins during the Cell Cycle]
Protocol to Count Cell Number of Preimplantation Embryos
using Nuclear Staining with Hoechst 33342 or DAPI. Includes: Preparation of Embryos; Preparation of Hoechst 33342 dye; Preparation of DAPI; Staining the Embryo; Mounting Embryos to Slides; What to Do When There are Too Many Cells to Count. - [Read Protocol to Count Cell Number of Preimplantation Embryos]