In vivo time-lapse imaging of neuronal development in Xenopus

Cold Spring Harb Protoc. 2013 Sep 1;2013(9):804-9. doi: 10.1101/pdb.top077156.

Abstract

In vivo fluorescence imaging of cells in the developing nervous system is greatly facilitated in specimens in which cells are brightly but sparsely labeled. In this article, we describe a number of techniques that can be used for delivering fluorophore to neurons in the albino Xenopus laevis tadpole. Fluorescent dye or DNA that encodes a fluorescent protein can be delivered to single cells by electroporation. Alternatively, multiple cells can be labeled with fluorescent dye introduced by local iontophoresis or with plasmid DNA introduced by bulk electroporation. Technical considerations and analysis methods for time-lapse imaging in living tissue are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fluorescent Dyes / metabolism
  • Luminescent Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Nervous System / embryology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Staining and Labeling / methods*
  • Time-Lapse Imaging / methods*
  • Xenopus laevis / embryology*

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Luminescent Proteins