Molecule-level imaging of Pax6 mRNA distribution in mouse embryonic neocortex by molecular interaction force microscopy.
Detection of the cellular and tissue distributions of RNA species is critical in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying cellular and tissue differentiation. Here, we show that an atomic force microscope tip modified with 27-acid dendron, a cone shaped molecule with 27 monomeric units forming its base, can be successfully used to map the spatial distribution of mouse Pax6 mRNA on sectioned tissues of the mouse embryonic neocortex. Scanning of the sectioned tissue with a 30-mer DNA probe attached to the apex of the dendron resulted in detection of the target mRNA on the tissue section, permitting mapping of the mRNA distribution at nanometer resolution. The unprecedented sensitivity and resolution of this process should be applicable to identification of molecular level distribution of various RNAs in a cell.
Jung
Yu Jin
YJ
Center for Integrated Molecular Systems, Department of Chemistry, Pohang University of Science and Technology, San 31 Hyoja-dong, Pohang, 790-784, South Korea.
Park
Yu Shin
YS
Yoon
Ki-Jun
KJ
Kong
Young-Yun
YY
Park
Joon Won
JW
Nam
Hong Gil
HG
D000818:Animals; D000873:Anthracenes / Q000737:chemistry; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000737:chemistry; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D019579:Neocortex / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D000873:Anthracenes; D015342:DNA Probes; D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009843:Oligoribonucleotides; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; C000605732:Pax6 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C501244:dendron