Characterizing the three-dimensional organization of telomeres.
BACKGROUND
Quantitative analysis can be used in combination with fluorescence microscopy. Although the human eye is able to obtain good qualitative results, when analyzing the spatial organization of telomeres in interphase nuclei, there is a need for quantitative results based on image analysis.


METHODS
We developed a tool for analyzing three-dimensional images of telomeres stained by fluorescence in situ hybridization in interphase nuclei with DNA counterstained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. After deconvolution of the image, we segmented individual telomeres. From the location of the telomeres we derived a distribution parameter rhoT, which indicated whether the telomeres were in a disk (rhoT >> 1) or not (rhoT approximately 1). We sorted mouse lymphocyte nuclei and measured rhoT. We also performed a bromodeoxyuridine synchronous cell sorting experiment on live cells and measured rhoT at several instances.


RESULTS
Measuring rhoT for nuclei in G0/G1, S, and G2 produced 1.4 +/- 0.1, 1.5 +/- 0.2, and 14 +/- 2, respectively, showing a significant difference between G2 and G0/G1 or S. For the bromodeoxyuridine synchronous cell sorting experiment, we found a cell cycle dependency of rhoT and a correlation between rhoT and an observer.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study we present a quantitative method to characterize the organization of telomeres using three-dimensional imaging, image processing, and image analysis.
Vermolen
B J
BJ
Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Imaging Science and Technology,Delft, The Netherlands. b.j.vermolen@tnw.tudelft.nl
Garini
Y
Y
Mai
S
S
Mougey
V
V
Fest
T
T
Chuang
T C-Y
TC
Chuang
A Y-C
AY
Wark
L
L
Young
I T
IT
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008853:Microscopy; D016615:Telomere / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine