Detection of Gene and Protein Expression in Mouse Embryos and Tissue Sections

Methods Mol Biol. 2019:1920:183-218. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9009-2_12.

Abstract

Analysis of gene (mRNA and protein) expression patterns is central to the study of embryonic development. This chapter details methods for detecting mRNA and protein expression in whole-mouse embryos and in tissue sections, including mRNA in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and detection of enzymatic and fluorescent protein reporters. We focus on histological methods; molecular methods of measuring gene expression (for example, RNAseq, PCR) are not included here.

Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase; Green fluorescent protein; Immunohistochemistry; In situ hybridization; Mouse embryogenesis; ß-Galactosidase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Embryo, Mammalian*
  • Embryonic Development* / genetics
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Immunohistochemistry* / methods
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Mice
  • Organ Specificity / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Alkaline Phosphatase