This project was supported by grant MOP62827 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

NOTE: The following procedures are in accordance with guidelines approved by the Canadian Council of Animal Care. All efforts are made to minimize pain and distress of animals during procedures.
1. Coating of Filters
NOTE: When culture filter inserts are placed in wells of multi-well plates, two compartments are defined: the top compartment is the region above the insert and the bottom compartment is the one below the insert Figure 1A.a-b. Explants are seeded in the top compartment where they attach to the top side of the filter; many axons grow through the filter and extend on the bottom side of the filter, within the bottom compartment Figure 1A.c. The standard working volumes (i.e. for applying coating solution, washes, culture media, etc) are 2 ml for the bottom compartment and 1 ml for the top compartment and are going to be referred to in the protocol as &#8220;standard volumes&#8221;. Add solutions starting with the bottom compartment by placing the tip of the pipette in the gap between the insert and the side of the well. Also, tilt the insert to one side while dispensing the solution to prevent bubbles from being trapped on the bottom of the filter.
<ol>
	<li>Start coating the filters the day before plating. Under the sterile tissue culture hood, place 24 mm filter inserts in a 6-well receiving plate. Incubate inserts with poly-D-lysine in water (1 mg/ml) for 1 hr&#160;at RT&#160;using standard volumes: 2 ml in the bottom compartment and 1 ml in the top.</li>
	<li>Aspirate poly-D-lysine and rinse once with water. Aspirate water, close the lid and leave plates to dry in the hood O/N. During aspiration of liquids, make sure to remove a remnant of liquid that becomes trapped directly under the filter.</li>
	<li>The next morning, dilute laminin in water (10 &#181;g/ml), mix and warm at 37 &#176;C. Incubate inserts with laminin 1 hr in cell incubator at 37 &#176;C, using standard volumes.</li>
	<li>Aspirate laminin and add collagen in water (0.1 mg/ml) and incubate for 1 hr at RT. In this case use 2 ml for the bottom compartment and 2 ml for the top compartment.</li>
	<li>Aspirate collagen and wash once with sterile water. The filters are now ready to receive culture media and DRG explants, as described in STEP 3.</li>
</ol>
2. Dissecting Embryonic Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Explants
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize a 13-day pregnant female mouse by an IP injection of Avertin (250 mg/kg). Wait 10-15 min and check for lack of corneal and pedal withdrawal reflexes. Once reflexes are absent, perform cervical dislocation.</li>
	<li>Disinfect all surgical instruments and female abdomen with 70% ethanol. Allow instruments to dry. Hold the skin of the abdomen and cut through the skin and muscle layers to expose the abdominal cavity.</li>
	<li>Remove the uterus by detaching from the cervix and ovaries. In a sterile hood, remove the embryos from the uterus with scissors and collect them in a Petri dish filled with ice-cold L15 media. Keep on ice. 
	NOTE: Refer to previous technical reports for further details regarding how to obtain embryos of 13 days of gestation17,18.</li>
	<li>Under the microscope, lay the embryo on a side and use small spring scissors to remove the head. Make an incision along the lateral sides to discard the chest, belly, limbs and tail. Keep the back containing the spine, lay ventral side up and remove all visceral organs.</li>
	<li>With small spring scissors, expose the entire spinal cord by cutting the spinal column from its ventral side along the midline. Hold the carcass down with one pair of forceps (#3) and use a second pair to hold the spinal cord by its most rostral aspect.</li>
	<li>Slowly and gently pull the cord away from the vertebral cavity and pinch off DRGs from the spinal cord using ultra-thin forceps (#5). Group the DRGs to be collected on the bottom of the dish.</li>
	<li>Collect grouped DRGs by aspirating with a 200 &#181;l pipette tip that has been cut to enlarge its opening. Place the DRGs in a tube and leave on ice until the DRG collection is finished. 
	NOTE: White/transparent tips are preferred because DRGs do not stick to the walls of this tip (as compared to standard yellow tips). Flushing tips with media before use further prevents DRGs from sticking to its walls.</li>
</ol>
3. Seeding and Maintenance of Dorsal Root Ganglion Explants on Filters
<ol>
	<li>Add complete DRG media at 37 &#176;C to the coated inserts using standard volumes. Supplement the bottom compartment media with 15 ng/ml of NGF, while keeping the top compartment NGF-free. 
	NOTE: Although NGF efficiently diffuses across the filter and its concentration equilibrates within hours, we have observed that applying NGF to the bottom compartment directly before seeding significantly increases axonal yield on the bottom surface of the filter.</li>
	<li>Transfer the DRGs from the tube to the filters using a 1,000 &#181;l pipette with a tip trimmed to enlarge its opening.</li>
	<li>Draw media into the tip 2-3x&#160;before collecting the DRGs. This prevents them from sticking to the inner side of the tip. The same tip can be re-used for all wells. The use of uncolored tips (versus standard blue tips) reduces DRG sticking to the tip surface.</li>
	<li>To transfer DRGs, set the pipette at 800 &#181;l. Aspirate approximately 200 &#181;l of media from the top side of the filter, then go to the DRG-containing tube and pipette a small volume up and down &#8211; to resuspend DRGs that have sunk to the bottom. Aspirate the whole volume and pipette DRGs submerging the tip in the middle of the insert.</li>
	<li>Once all inserts are loaded, close the plate lid and swirl the plate 10x, tapping it gently on the hood bench between each swirl. These movements increase axonal yield by helping DRG explants sink and attach to the filter. This also helps distribute explants evenly so that axons from different explants don&#8217;t overlap. 
	NOTE: The explant seeding procedure described in the previous steps significantly increases the overall rate of explant attachment to the substrate (up to 75%). Most significantly, the pipetting procedure readily prevents explants from floating on the media surface instead of sinking to the bottom of the insert.</li>
	<li>For biochemical analyses, seed DRGs from one embryo (around 30) per filter. For morphological analyses, use either half or a third of the DRGs from one embryo (10-15). This decision must be made before collecting the DRGs into tubes, so that all DRGs of a tube are seeded into a single well (whether it is 30, 15, or 10 DRGs).</li>
	<li>Maintain cultures in a cell incubator at 37 &#176;C, changing media every 2-3 days. To change media, aspirate the top compartment first, followed by the bottom compartment. Add fresh media in standard volumes starting with the bottom compartment. 
	NOTE: To prevent cells/axons from drying, do not change media in more than 3 inserts at the same time. DRGs grown on filters in the presence of NGF will extend long axons, reaching up to 2 mm after 2 days in culture.</li>
</ol>
4. Trophic Factor Withdrawal Treatment
NGF withdrawal induces axonal degeneration with axonal fragmentation (determined by phase contrast and &#946;-III-tubulin IF) that first appears around 12 hr after withdrawal. Complete fragmentation is achieved by 36 hr. How long the degeneration is left to proceed for has to be chosen by the end user according to the experimental design.
<ol>
	<li>After the 2-day axonal extension phase, change media from top and bottom compartments to media that lacks NGF and contains anti-NGF antibodies (1 &#181;g/ml) to sequester any remaining (or endogenously produced) NGF.</li>
	<li>Return plates to cell incubator (37 &#176;C) to allow NGF withdrawal-induced degeneration to proceed for the desired amount of time.</li>
	<li>Proceed to protein extraction (step 6) for examination by western blot or directly examine the filters by IF (step 7).</li>
</ol>
5. Axonal Transection to Induce Wallerian Degeneration
This procedure leaves the axons on the bottom side of the filter detached from their cell body, but otherwise intact. Thereafter, these axons rapidly initiate Wallerian degeneration. Axonal fragmentation (evidenced by phase contrast or &#946;-III-tubulin IF) first appears by 3 hr after transection; by 9 hr, axons are completely fragmented and are detached from the filter. How long the degeneration is left to proceed for has to be chosen by the end user according to the experimental design.
<ol>
	<li>Scrape the top side of the filter, containing grown DRG explants, with a cell-scraper. Ensure complete removal of top material by moving scraper in X-, Y- and circular directions.</li>
	<li>Discard the media from the top compartment containing the floating explants that have been scraped from the filter and replace with 1 ml of pre-warmed, complete DRG media containing NGF (10 ng/ml).</li>
	<li>Return plate to cell incubator (37 &#176;C) to allow Wallerian degeneration to proceed for the amount of time chosen by the end user.</li>
	<li>Proceed to protein extraction (step 6) for examination by western blot or directly examine the filters by IF (step 7).</li>
</ol>
6. Protein Extraction of Axonal Samples
<ol>
	<li>Fill collection tubes (1.5 ml) with 75 &#181;l of Laemmli sample buffer. Keep tubes on ice while harvesting axons from the entire set of filters.</li>
	<li>Wash the filter with DRG explants in PBS and scrape the top side of the filter. Remove the insert from the plate, clean the top side of the filter with a cotton-tip applicator and aspirate any extra PBS from the top and bottom sides.</li>
	<li>Place insert upside down on bench and cut the filter out of the insert using a sharp scalpel. Hold the filter with forceps, bottom up. Make a cut from the circumference to the center of the filter with scissors.</li>
	<li>Place filter on top of the collection tube, and with forceps, press the center of the filter down the tube. While doing this, a funnel should form. Push the funnel-shaped filter to the bottom of the tube so that it is submerged in the Laemmli sample buffer.</li>
	<li>Complete protein extraction by boiling the tubes for 4 min. Remove the filter using forceps to place it upside-down into the top of the tube and performing a brief spin (2,000 x g for 15 sec). Discard the dried filters.</li>
	<li>Resolve 10 &#181;l of the axonal protein preparation in a SDS-PAGE followed by western blot to detect the proteins of interest. 
	NOTE: As a reference, an axonal preparation from 20 explants grown for 2 days and lysed in 100 &#181;l of RIPA lysis buffer will have a protein concentration of 4-6 &#181;g/&#181;l.</li>
</ol>
7. Immunofluorescence Examination of Axons on Filters
The following steps outline the general manipulations to perform IF staining on filter inserts, exemplified by the detection of &#946;-III-tubulin. Fixative, incubation times, concentrations and other particulars should be optimized for other antigen-antibody pairs.
<ol>
	<li>Utilize previously used 6-well plates, thoroughly cleaned, for the following washes and incubations of the inserts.</li>
	<li>Briefly wash inserts in PBS. Fix them in freshly prepared 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS for 10 min&#160;at RT on shaker.</li>
	<li>After fixation, scrape and clean the top side of the insert to collect the axons that grew exclusively on the bottom surface of the filter. Proceed with standard incubations for IF.</li>
	<li>Incubate inserts in blocking solution (TBS, 0.05% Tween 20, 5% skim milk), using standard volumes, for 1 hr at RT with gentle shaking.</li>
	<li>Transfer inserts to primary antibody diluted in blocking buffer (anti-&#946;-III-tubulin, 1:5,000), using standard volumes. Incubate O/N (~18 hr) at 4 &#176;C with gentle shaking.</li>
	<li>Wash the first antibody twice in PBS (2 X 10 min&#160;at RT).</li>
	<li>Transfer inserts to fluorescent-conjugated secondary antibodies diluted in blocking buffer (goat anti-mouse, 1:2,000), using standard volumes. Incubate covered from light for 2 hr at RT with gentle shaking.</li>
	<li>Wash the secondary antibody 3x&#160;in PBS (3 x&#160;10 min&#160;at RT).</li>
	<li>After IF is complete, take insert out, pour away PBS from the last wash and clean the top side of the filter with a cotton-tip applicator. Aspirate any liquid from the top and bottom sides.</li>
	<li>Place insert upside-down on bench, and cut the filter out of the insert with a sharp scalpel.</li>
	<li>Hold the filter with forceps, downside up, and place on microscopy slide. Overlay with a coverslip and fluorescent-compatible mounting media. Let dry flat in cold room, covered from light. Examine and capture images using a fluorescent microscope. 
	NOTE: When stored at 4 &#176;C and protected from light, these preparations can be kept for weeks with minimal loss of fluorescence.</li>
	<li>OPTIONAL: Alternatively, IF can be performed on filters that have been removed from the insert. To do that, scrape and clean the top side of the filters directly after fixation.
	<ol>
		<li>Take filters out of the inserts with a sharp scalpel and place filters axons-up on the bottom of a six-well plate.</li>
		<li>Afterwards, perform incubations for IF as indicated in 7.4-7.8 and 7.11. The advantage of this alternative is that it saves reagents, since, for example, incubation volumes can go down to 500 &#181;l (compared to the 3 ml used when filters are directly stained on the inserts as shown in 7.1-7.11).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Conde, C., Caceres, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microtubule+assembly,+organization+and+dynamics+in+axons+and+dendrites.">Microtubule assembly, organization and dynamics in axons and dendrites.</a> Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 10, 319-332 (2009).</li><li>Rasband, M. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+axon+initial+segment+and+the+maintenance+of+neuronal+polarity.">The axon initial segment and the maintenance of neuronal polarity.</a> Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 11, 552-562 (2010).</li><li>Lingor, P., Koch, J. C., Tonges, L., Bahr, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+degeneration+as+a+therapeutic+target+in+the+CNS.">Axonal degeneration as a therapeutic target in the CNS.</a> Cell Tissue Res. 349, 289-311 (2012).</li><li>Torre, E. R., Steward, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Demonstration+of+local+protein+synthesis+within+dendrites+using+a+new+cell+culture+system+that+permits+the+isolation+of+living+axons+and+dendrites+from+their+cell+bodies.">Demonstration of local protein synthesis within dendrites using a new cell culture system that permits the isolation of living axons and dendrites from their cell bodies.</a> J. Neurosci. 12, 762-772 (1992).</li><li>Zheng, J. Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+functional+role+for+intra-axonal+protein+synthesis+during+axonal+regeneration+from+adult+sensory+neurons.">A functional role for intra-axonal protein synthesis during axonal regeneration from adult sensory neurons.</a> J. Neurosci. 21, 9291-9303 (2001).</li><li>Willis, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+transport+and+local+translation+of+cytoskeletal,+injury-response,+and+neurodegeneration+protein+mRNAs+in+axons.">Differential transport and local translation of cytoskeletal, injury-response, and neurodegeneration protein mRNAs in axons.</a> J. Neurosci. 25, 778-791 (2005).</li><li>Poon, M. M., Choi, S. H., Jamieson, C. A., Geschwind, D. H., Martin, K. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+process-localized+mRNAs+from+cultured+rodent+hippocampal+neurons.">Identification of process-localized mRNAs from cultured rodent hippocampal neurons.</a> J. Neurosci. 26, 13390-13399 (2006).</li><li>Schoenmann, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+degeneration+is+regulated+by+the+apoptotic+machinery+or+a+NAD+-sensitive+pathway+in+insects+and+mammals.">Axonal degeneration is regulated by the apoptotic machinery or a NAD+-sensitive pathway in insects and mammals.</a> J. Neurosci. 30, 6375-6386 (2010).</li><li>Unsain, N., Higgins, J. M., Parker, K. N., Johnstone, A. D., Barker, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=XIAP+regulates+caspase+activity+in+degenerating+axons.">XIAP regulates caspase activity in degenerating axons.</a> Cell Rep. 4, 751-763 (2013).</li><li>Ure, D. R., Campenot, R. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retrograde+transport+and+steady-state+distribution+of+125I-nerve+growth+factor+in+rat+sympathetic+neurons+in+compartmented+cultures.">Retrograde transport and steady-state distribution of 125I-nerve growth factor in rat sympathetic neurons in compartmented cultures.</a> J. Neurosci. 17, 1282-1290 (1997).</li><li>Taylor, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+mRNA+in+uninjured+and+regenerating+cortical+mammalian+axons.">Axonal mRNA in uninjured and regenerating cortical mammalian axons.</a> J. Neurosci. 29, 4697-4707 (2009).</li><li>Minis, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Subcellular+transcriptomics-Dissection+of+the+mRNA+composition+in+the+axonal+compartment+of+sensory+neurons.">Subcellular transcriptomics-Dissection of the mRNA composition in the axonal compartment of sensory neurons.</a> Dev. Neurobiol. , (2013).</li><li>Niekerk, E. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sumoylation+in+axons+triggers+retrograde+transport+of+the+RNA-binding+protein+La.">Sumoylation in axons triggers retrograde transport of the RNA-binding protein La.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 104, 12913-12918 (2007).</li><li>Huang, E. J., Reichardt, L. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurotrophins:+roles+in+neuronal+development+and+function.">Neurotrophins: roles in neuronal development and function.</a> Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 24, 677-736 (2001).</li><li>Vargas, M. E., Barres, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Why+is+Wallerian+degeneration+in+the+CNS+so+slow.">Why is Wallerian degeneration in the CNS so slow.</a> Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 30, 153-179 (2007).</li><li>Waller, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Experiments+on+the+Section+of+the+Glossopharyngeal+and+Hypoglossal+Nerves+of+the+Frog,+and+Observations+of+the+Alterations+Produced+Thereby+in+the+Structure+of+Their+Primitive+Fibres.">Experiments on the Section of the Glossopharyngeal and Hypoglossal Nerves of the Frog, and Observations of the Alterations Produced Thereby in the Structure of Their Primitive Fibres.</a> Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. 140, 423-429 .</li><li>Albuquerque, C., Joseph, D. J., Choudhury, P., MacDermott, A. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dissection,+Plating,+and+Maintenance+of+Dorsal+Root+Ganglion+Neurons+for+Monoculture+and+for+Coculture+with+Dorsal+Horn+Neurons.">Dissection, Plating, and Maintenance of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons for Monoculture and for Coculture with Dorsal Horn Neurons.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. , (2009).</li><li>Leach, M. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+culture+of+primary+motor+and+sensory+neurons+in+defined+media+on+electrospun+poly-L-lactide+nanofiber+scaffolds.">The culture of primary motor and sensory neurons in defined media on electrospun poly-L-lactide nanofiber scaffolds.</a> J Vis Exp. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Important parameters to take into account when adapting this technique include the neuronal population that will be studied, the substrate, pore size of the filter and surface area. All these parameters will impact the specificity, quality and quantity of the neurite preparation obtained, and must be considered carefully by the end user. In the examples presented in this protocol, the use of DRG neurons has the advantage of extending only axons, thus giving a pure (specific) axonal preparation.
<p class="jove_content...

The axonal compartment of neurons shows a large degree of functional independence from the somato-dendritic compartment. In projection neurons, axons contain most of the neuronal protein1,2. The study of the physiology and pathophysiology of axons has gained momentum in the neuroscience community because recent studies have shown that early axonal dysfunction appears to be a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders3. It seems likely that a better understanding of axonal-exclusive mechanisms under normal and pathological conditions will shed light on the early events that drive dysfunction.
The present protocol describes how to use culture inserts bearing a porous membrane (filter) to obtain large amounts of pure axonal material that is suitable for biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses. The use of filter inserts to study axonal biology was first implemented by Steward and colleagues4 and further developed by Twiss and colleagues5 to its present configuration. The technique is now in current use by groups studying different aspects of axonal and dendrite biology, with slight modifications in each case to accommodate for the population of neurons studied, the treatments performed and the type of biochemical analyses used6-9. The present protocol does not intend to accommodate all the alternatives for such a variety of applications, but rather provide a simple approach that is suitable for most applications. In particular, the protocol described here uses a triple coating that maximizes axonal yield for biochemical analyses and is most suitable to study axonal degeneration &#8211;other coatings described in the literature produced less axons that retract and degenerate faster when deprived from trophic factors9.
In this procedure, neuronal cell bodies remain isolated atop the filter while axons pass through the pores and grow along its bottom surface. Pure axons (free of glia and neuronal cell body contaminants) that grow on the bottom surface of the filter can be collected for biochemical analyses or can be fixed in situ and examined by immunocytochemical techniques9. The procedure relies on the use of embryonic sensory neurons from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Embryonic DRGs are widely used to study axonal biology because neurites from these cells undergo fast and robust growth in vitro when maintained in nerve growth factor (NGF), and because they rapidly undergo degeneration when deprived of this factor. Also, DRG neurons lack dendrites, so that all the neurites collected by this method are purely axons.
Filter inserts represent a great advantage compared to other approaches used to study axons. Studies relying on the use of microscopy to differentiate processes occurring in the cell soma from those in axons provide limited biochemical information. As another example, compartmentalized culture systems (e.g., Campenot chambers10 or microfluidic devices11) are useful for imaging approaches and for differential treatment of cell compartments but provide only small amounts of axonal material, precluding the use of these techniques for biochemical analyses which require relatively large amounts of sample. Further, their use requires significant training as well as specialized devices, and they are time consuming. Another approach often used to isolate axons from explants is to manually remove an explant center (containing neuronal cell bodies) before axonal sample collection. Although this can produce large quantities of axon-enriched preparations, axons in this preparation can be enveloped in glia and rapidly removing 20 explant&#8217;s bodies consecutively from 6 wells (as an example of a minimal experiment) is time-consuming and at the limit of feasibility.
In contrast, the method presented here produces abundant and pure axonal preparations that can then be analyzed by virtually any biochemical technique that is commonly used to analyze whole-cell lysates, like western blot, immunoprecipitation6, northern blot5 mass spectrometry6, RNA purification7,12,13, among others. Moreover, the protocol can be applied to immunofluorescence (IF) techniques, as it is possible to fix axons growing in the bottom side of the filter to further examine them by IF. This approach greatly facilitates the analysis of axonal-specific processes since there are no cell bodies in the final preparation. This is a significant advantage since a high immunofluorescent signal from cell bodies often undermines examination and analysis of a weaker signal originating from thin structures such as axons.
Two applications of the culture method to study axonal degeneration are described; a model of developmental pruning and a model of injury-induced degeneration (commonly referred to as Wallerian degeneration). The modeling of developmental pruning is based on the fact that sensory neurons in vivo compete for limiting amounts of target-derived NGF and those failing to receive enough neurotrophic support degenerate14. This phenomenon can be mimicked in embryonic DRG cultures by withdrawing NGF from the culture media, which, as happens in vivo, initiates axonal degeneration followed by cell body destruction. To model Wallerian degeneration, the top side of the filter with the cell bodies is scraped away. The axons that had grown onto the bottom side of the filter become physically separated from the cell bodies and thereafter undergo the rapid and stereotypic degenerative process known as Wallerian degeneration15, named after A. Waller who first reported the phenomenon in 185016.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="972">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:297px;">CD-1 mouse, E13 timed pregnancy</td>
			<td style="width:140px;">Charles River</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:416px;">In house timed pregnancies can be done by mating mice and checking for vaginal plugs (Day E0)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Falcon Cell Culture Inserts</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353102</td>
			<td>1 &#181;m pore size, fits 6-well receiving plate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Falcon Cell Culture Companion Plates</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353502</td>
			<td>Receiving plates for inserts</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Poly-D-Lysine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P6407</td>
			<td>Used at 1 mg/ml in water. Can re-use once.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;">Laminin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>L2020</td>
			<td style="width:416px;">Used at 10 ug/ml in water. Take 100X stock from -80 &#176;C and thaw overnight at 4 &#176;C&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">PureCol Bovine Collagen Solution</td>
			<td>Advanced Biomatrix</td>
			<td>5005-B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Leibovitz&#39;s L-15 Medium</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11415-064</td>
			<td>Can be replaced by DMEM.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Neurobasal Medium</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>21103-049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">B-27 Serum-Free Supplement</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>17504-044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">5-Fluoro-2&#8242;-deoxyuridine (FDU)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>F0503</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NGF (2.5S, beta subunit)</td>
			<td>Cedarlane</td>
			<td>CLMCNET-001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="88">
			<td height="109" rowspan="2" style="height:109px;width:297px;">Anti-NGF Antibody</td>
			<td style="width:140px;">Prepared in-house</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td style="width:416px;">As described in: Acheson, A., Barker, P.A., Alderson, R.F., Miller, F.D. &#38; Murphy, R.A. Detection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-like activity in fibroblasts and Schwann cells: inhibition by antibodies to NGF. Neuron.7, 265-75, (1991)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alomone Labs</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AN-240</td>
			<td>Commercial option</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Anti-Tubulin Antibody</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>MAB5564</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Alexa Fluor 488 Goat Anti-Mouse Antibody</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A-11029</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DRG culture medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="126">
			<td height="126" style="height:126px;width:297px;">Neurobasal Medium 
			2 % B27 Neurobasal Supplement 
			2 mM l-Glutamine 
			1 % Penicillin-Streptomysin 
			10 &#181;M FDU 
			15 ng/ml NGF (bottom compartment only)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">1X Laemmli Sample Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="105">
			<td height="105" style="height:105px;width:297px;">10 % SDS 
			0.5 M DTT 
			0.5 M Tris (pH 6.8) 
			5 % Glycerol 
			0.01 % (w/v) Bromophenol blue</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

production and isolation of axons from sensory neurons for biochemical analysis using porous filters

Neuronal axons use specific mechanisms to mediate extension, maintain integrity, and induce degeneration. An appropriate balance of these events is required to shape functional neuronal circuits. The protocol described here explains how to use cell culture inserts bearing a porous membrane (filter) to obtain large amounts of pure axonal preparations suitable for examination by conventional biochemical or immunocytochemical techniques. The functionality of these filter inserts will be demonstrated with models of developmental pruning and Wallerian degeneration, using explants of embryonic dorsal root ganglion. Axonal integrity and function is compromised in a wide variety of neurodegenerative pathologies. Indeed, it is now clear that axonal dysfunction appears much earlier in the course of the disease than neuronal soma loss in several neurodegenerative diseases, indicating that axonal-specific processes are primarily targeted in these disorders. By obtaining pure axonal samples for analysis by molecular and biochemical techniques, this technique has the potential to shed new light into mechanisms regulating the physiology and pathophysiology of axons. This in turn will have an impact in our understanding of the processes that drive degenerative diseases of the nervous system.

Dorsal root ganglion explants from E13.5 mice grow extensively on filters coated sequentially with poly-D-lysine, laminin and collagen (Figure&#160;1B, left), reaching up to 2 mm within 2 days in culture. This substrate combination yields particularly exuberant growth; other combinations yield axons that are considerably shorter (Figure&#160;1B, right). Moreover, DRGs maintained on filters extend more and longer axons than DRGs grown on plastic Figure&#160;1C.
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Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Production and Isolation of Axons from Sensory Neurons for Biochemical Analysis Using Porous Filters at JoVE.com

Production and Isolation of Axons from Sensory Neurons for Biochemical Analysis Using Porous Filters

This article describes a neuronal culture system that can be used to obtain large quantities of pure axonal samples for biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses. This technique will allow an improved understanding of normal axonal physiology and signaling pathways leading to neurodegeneration.

Neuronal axons use specific mechanisms to mediate extension, maintain integrity, and induce degeneration. An appropriate balance of these events is ...

production-isolation-axons-from-sensory-neurons-for-biochemical

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

14.2K ビュー.  Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University. This article describes a neuronal culture system that can be used to obtain large quantities of pure axonal samples for biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses. This technique will allow an improved understanding of normal axonal physiology and signaling pathways leading to neurodegeneration. 

ビデオ: Production and Isolation of Axons from Sensory Neurons for Biochemical Analysis Using Porous Filters

Analyzing Responses of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons Using the Air-phase Electroolfactogram Recording

Animals depend on olfaction for many critical behaviors, such as finding food sources, avoiding predators, and identifying conspecifics for mating and other social interactions. The electroolfactogram (EOG) recording is an informative, easy to conduct, and reliable method to assay olfactory function at the level of the olfactory epithelium. Since the 1956 description of the EOG by Ottoson in frogs1, the EOG recording has been applied in many vertebrates including salamanders, rabbits, rats, mice, and humans (reviewed by Scott and Scott-Johnson, 2002, ref. 2). The recent advances in genetic modification in mice have rekindled interest in recording the EOG for physiological characterization of olfactory function in knock-out and knock-in mice. EOG recordings have been successfully applied to demonstrate the central role of olfactory signal transduction components3-8, and more recently to characterize the contribution of certain regulatory mechanisms to OSN responses9-12.
Odorant detection occurs at the surface of the olfactory epithelium on the cilia of OSNs, where a signal transduction cascade leads to opening of ion channels, generating a current that flows into the cilia and depolarizes the membrane13. The EOG is the negative potential recorded extracellularly at the surface of the olfactory epithelium upon odorant stimulation, resulting from a summation of the potential changes caused by individual responsive OSNs in the recording field2. Comparison of the amplitude and kinetics of the EOG thus provide valuable information about how genetic modification and other experimental manipulations influence the molecular signaling underlying the OSN response to odor. 
Here we describe an air-phase EOG recording on a preparation of mouse olfactory turbinates. Briefly, after sacrificing the mouse, the olfactory turbinates are exposed by bisecting the head along the midline and removing the septum. The turbinate preparation is then placed in the recording setup, and a recording electrode is placed at the surface of the olfactory epithelium on one of the medial turbinates. A reference electrode is electrically connected to the tissue through a buffer solution. A continuous stream of humidified air is blown over the surface of the epithelium to keep it moist. The vapor of odorant solutions is puffed into the stream of humidified air to stimulate the epithelium. Responses are recorded and digitized for further analysis.

The electroolfactogram (EOG) recording is an informative, easy-to-conduct, and reliable way of assessing olfactory function at the level of the olfactory epithelium. This protocol describes a recording setup, mouse tissue preparation, data collection, and basic data analysis.

Animals depend on olfaction for many critical behaviors, such as finding food sources, avoiding predators, and identifying conspecifics for mating and ...

Morphological Analysis of Drosophila Larval Peripheral Sensory Neuron Dendrites and Axons Using Genetic Mosaics

Nervous system development requires the correct specification of neuron position and identity, followed by accurate neuron class-specific dendritic development and axonal wiring. Recently the dendritic arborization (DA) sensory neurons of the Drosophila larval peripheral nervous system (PNS) have become powerful genetic models in which to elucidate both general and class-specific mechanisms of neuron differentiation.
There are four main DA neuron classes (I-IV)1. They are named in order of increasing dendrite arbor complexity, and have class-specific differences in the genetic control of their differentiation2-10. The DA sensory system is a practical model to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the control of dendritic morphology11-13 because: 1) it can take advantage of the powerful genetic tools available in the fruit fly, 2) the DA neuron dendrite arbor spreads out in only 2 dimensions beneath an optically clear larval cuticle making it easy to visualize with high resolution in vivo, 3) the class-specific diversity in dendritic morphology facilitates a comparative analysis to find key elements controlling the formation of simple vs. highly branched dendritic trees, and 4) dendritic arbor stereotypical shapes of different DA neurons facilitate morphometric statistical analyses.
DA neuron activity modifies the output of a larval locomotion central pattern generator14-16. The different DA neuron classes have distinct sensory modalities, and their activation elicits different behavioral responses14,16-20. Furthermore different classes send axonal projections stereotypically into the Drosophila larval central nervous system in the ventral nerve cord (VNC)21. These projections terminate with topographic representations of both DA neuron sensory modality and the position in the body wall of the dendritic field7,22,23. Hence examination of DA axonal projections can be used to elucidate mechanisms underlying topographic mapping7,22,23, as well as the wiring of a simple circuit modulating larval locomotion14-17.
We present here a practical guide to generate and analyze genetic mosaics24 marking DA neurons via MARCM (Mosaic Analysis with a Repressible Cell Marker)1,10,25 and Flp-out22,26,27 techniques (summarized in Fig. 1).

Morphological Analysis of Drosophila Larval Peripheral Sensory Neuron Dendrites and Axons Using Genetic Mosaics

The dendritic arborization sensory neurons of the Drosophila larval peripheral nervous system are useful models to elucidate both general and neuron class-specific mechanisms of neuron differentiation. We present a practical guide to generate and analyze dendritic arborization neuron genetic mosaics.

Nervous system development requires the correct specification of neuron position and identity, followed by accurate neuron class-specific dendritic ...

Flash Photolysis of Caged Compounds in the Cilia of Olfactory Sensory  Neurons

Photolysis of caged compounds allows the production of rapid and localized increases in the concentration of various physiologically active compounds1. Caged compounds are molecules made physiologically inactive by a chemical cage that can be broken by a flash of ultraviolet light. Here, we show how to obtain patch-clamp recordings combined with photolysis of caged compounds for the study of olfactory transduction in dissociated mouse olfactory sensory neurons. The process of olfactory transduction (Figure 1) takes place in the cilia of olfactory sensory neurons, where odorant binding to receptors leads to the increase of cAMP that opens cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels2. Ca entry through CNG channels activates Ca-activated Cl channels. We show how to dissociate neurons from the mouse olfactory epithelium3 and how to activate CNG channels or Ca-activated Cl channels by photolysis of caged cAMP4 or caged Ca5. We use a flash lamp6,7 to apply ultraviolet flashes to the ciliary region to uncage cAMP or Ca while patch-clamp recordings are taken to measure the current in the whole-cell voltage-clamp configuration8-11.

Photolysis of caged compounds allows the production of rapid and localized increases in the concentration of various physiologically active compounds. Here, we show how to obtain patch-clamp recordings combined with photolysis of caged cAMP or caged Ca for the study of olfactory transduction in dissociated mouse olfactory sensory neurons.

Photolysis of caged compounds allows the production of rapid and localized increases in the concentration of various physiologically active compounds1. ...

Isolation and Culture of Hippocampal Neurons from Prenatal Mice

Primary cultures of rat and murine hippocampal neurons are widely used to reveal cellular mechanisms in neurobiology. By isolating and growing individual neurons, researchers are able to analyze properties related to cellular trafficking, cellular structure and individual protein localization using a variety of biochemical techniques. Results from such experiments are critical for testing theories addressing the neural basis of memory and learning. However, unambiguous results from these forms of experiments are predicated on the ability to grow neuronal cultures with minimum contamination by other brain cell types. In this protocol, we use specific media designed for neuron growth and careful dissection of embryonic hippocampal tissue to optimize growth of healthy neurons while minimizing contaminating cell types (i.e. astrocytes). Embryonic mouse hippocampal tissue can be more difficult to isolate than similar rodent tissue due to the size of the sample for dissection. We show detailed dissection techniques of hippocampus from embryonic day 19 (E19) mouse pups. Once hippocampal tissue is isolated, gentle dissociation of neuronal cells is achieved with a dilute concentration of trypsin and mechanical disruption designed to separate cells from connective tissue while providing minimum damage to individual cells. A detailed description of how to prepare pipettes to be used in the disruption is included. Optimal plating densities are provided for immuno-fluorescence protocols to maximize successful cell culture. The protocol provides a fast (approximately 2 hr) and efficient technique for the culture of neuronal cells from mouse hippocampal tissue.

We provide a protocol for the culture of highly purified hippocampal neurons from prenatal mouse brains without the use of a feeder glial cell layer.

Primary cultures of rat and murine hippocampal neurons are widely used to reveal cellular mechanisms in neurobiology. By isolating and growing individual ...

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

Understanding the biophysical properties and functional organization of single neurons and how they process information is fundamental for understanding how the brain works. The primary function of any nerve cell is to process electrical signals, usually from multiple sources. Electrical properties of neuronal processes are extraordinarily complex, dynamic, and, in the general case, impossible to predict in the absence of detailed measurements. To obtain such a measurement one would, ideally, like to be able to monitor, at multiple sites, subthreshold events as they travel from the sites of origin on neuronal processes and summate at particular locations to influence action potential initiation. This goal has not been achieved in any neuron due to technical limitations of measurements that employ electrodes. To overcome this drawback, it is highly desirable to complement the patch-electrode approach with imaging techniques that permit extensive parallel recordings from all parts of a neuron. Here, we describe such a technique - optical recording of membrane potential transients with organic voltage-sensitive dyes (Vm-imaging) - characterized by sub-millisecond and sub-micrometer resolution. Our method is based on pioneering work on voltage-sensitive molecular probes 2. Many aspects of the initial technology have been continuously improved over several decades 3, 5, 11. Additionally, previous work documented two essential characteristics of Vm-imaging. Firstly, fluorescence signals are linearly proportional to membrane potential over the entire physiological range (-100 mV to +100 mV; 10, 14, 16). Secondly, loading neurons with the voltage-sensitive dye used here (JPW 3028) does not have detectable pharmacological effects. The recorded broadening of the spike during dye loading is completely reversible 4, 7. Additionally, experimental evidence shows that it is possible to obtain a significant number (up to hundreds) of recordings prior to any detectable phototoxic effects 4, 6, 12, 13. At present, we take advantage of the superb brightness and stability of a laser light source at near-optimal wavelength to maximize the sensitivity of the Vm-imaging technique. The current sensitivity permits multiple site optical recordings of Vm transients from all parts of a neuron, including axons and axon collaterals, terminal dendritic branches, and individual dendritic spines. The acquired information on signal interactions can be analyzed quantitatively as well as directly visualized in the form of a movie.

An imaging technique for monitoring of membrane potential changes with sub-micrometer spatial and sub-millisecond temporal resolution is described. The technique, based on laser excitation of voltage-sensitive dyes, allows measurements of signals in axons and axon collaterals, terminal dendritic branches, and individual dendritic spines.

Understanding the biophysical properties and functional organization of single neurons and how they process information is fundamental for understanding ...

Isolation of Sensory Neurons of Aplysia californica for Patch Clamp Recordings of Glutamatergic Currents

The marine gastropod mollusk Aplysia californica has a venerable history as a model of nervous system function, with particular significance in studies of learning and memory. The typical preparations for such studies are ones in which the sensory and motoneurons are left intact in a minimally dissected animal, or a technically elaborate neuronal co-culture of individual sensory and motoneurons. Less common is the isolated neuronal preparation in which small clusters of nominally homogeneous neurons are dissociated into single cells in short term culture. Such isolated cells are useful for the biophysical characterization of ion currents using patch clamp techniques, and targeted modulation of these conductances. A protocol for preparing such cultures is described. The protocol takes advantage of the easily identifiable glutamatergic sensory neurons of the pleural and buccal ganglia, and describes their dissociation and minimal maintenance in culture for several days without serum.

Isolation of Sensory Neurons of Aplysia californica for Patch Clamp Recordings of Glutamatergic Currents

We describe the dissection of the nervous system of the marine sea hare Aplysia after anesthesia, the isolation of neurons for short term-tissue culture, and recordings of single cell ion currents via the patch clamp technique.

The marine gastropod mollusk Aplysia californica has a venerable  history as a model of nervous system function, with particular significance in  studies ...

Whole Mount Immunolabeling of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Drosophila Antenna

Odorant molecules bind to their target receptors in a precise and coordinated manner. Each receptor recognizes a specific signal and relays this information to the brain. As such, determining how olfactory information is transferred to the brain, modifying both perception and behavior, merits investigation. Interestingly, there is emerging evidence that cellular transduction and transcriptional factors are involved in the diversification of olfactory receptor neuron. Here we provide a robust whole mount immunological labeling method to assay in vivo olfactory receptor neuron organization. Using this method, we identified all olfactory receptor neurons with anti-ELAV antibody, a known pan-neural marker and Or49a-mCD8::GFP, an olfactory receptor neuron specifically expressed in Nba neuron using anti-GFP antibody.

Whole Mount Immunolabeling of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Drosophila Antenna

Herein we describe the process of whole mount immunostaining of Drosophila antennae, which enables us to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the diversification of olfactory receptor neurons (ORN)s.

Odorant molecules bind to their target receptors in a precise and coordinated manner. Each receptor recognizes a specific signal and relays this ...

Isolation and Culture of Dissociated Sensory Neurons From Chick Embryos

Neurons are multifaceted cells that carry information essential for a variety of functions including sensation, motor movement, learning, and memory. Studying neurons in vivo can be challenging due to their complexity, their varied and dynamic environments, and technical limitations. For these reasons, studying neurons in vitro can prove beneficial to unravel the complex mysteries of neurons. The well-defined nature of cell culture models provides detailed control over environmental conditions and variables. Here we describe how to isolate, dissociate, and culture primary neurons from chick embryos. This technique is rapid, inexpensive, and generates robustly growing sensory neurons. The procedure consistently produces cultures that are highly enriched for neurons and has very few non-neuronal cells (less than 5%). Primary neurons do not adhere well to untreated glass or tissue culture plastic, therefore detailed procedures to create two distinct, well-defined laminin-containing substrata for neuronal plating are described. Cultured neurons are highly amenable to multiple cellular and molecular techniques, including co-immunoprecipitation, live cell imagining, RNAi, and immunocytochemistry. Procedures for double immunocytochemistry on these cultured neurons have been optimized and described here.

Cell culture models provide detailed control over environmental conditions and thus provide a powerful platform to elucidate numerous aspects of neuronal cell biology. We describe a rapid, inexpensive, and reliable method to isolate, dissociate, and culture sensory neurons from chick embryos. Details of substrata preparation and immunocytochemistry are also provided.

Neurons are multifaceted cells that carry information essential for a variety of functions including sensation, motor movement, learning, and memory. ...

Removal of Drosophila Muscle Tissue from Larval Fillets for Immunofluorescence Analysis of Sensory Neurons and Epidermal Cells

Drosophila larval dendritic arborization (da) neurons are a popular model for investigating mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis. Da neurons develop in communication with the epidermal cells they innervate and thus their analysis benefits from in situ visualization of both neuronally and epidermally expressed proteins by immunofluorescence. Traditional methods of preparing larval fillets for immunofluorescence experiments leave intact the muscle tissue that covers most of the body wall, presenting several challenges to imaging neuronal and epidermal proteins. Here we describe a method for removing muscle tissue from Drosophila larval fillets. This protocol enables imaging of proteins that are otherwise obscured by muscle tissue, improves signal to noise ratio, and facilitates the use of super-resolution microscopy to study da neuron development.

Removal of Drosophila Muscle Tissue from Larval Fillets for Immunofluorescence Analysis of Sensory Neurons and Epidermal Cells

Studies of neuronal morphogenesis using Drosophila larval dendritic arborization (da) neurons benefit from in situ visualization of neuronal and epidermal proteins by immunofluorescence. We describe a procedure that improves immunofluorescence analysis of da neurons and surrounding epidermal cells by removing muscle tissue from the larval body wall.

Drosophila larval dendritic arborization (da) neurons are a popular model for investigating mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis. Da neurons develop in ...

Zebrafish In Situ Spinal Cord Preparation for Electrophysiological Recordings from Spinal Sensory and Motor Neurons

Zebrafish, first introduced as a developmental model, have gained popularity in many other fields. The ease of rearing large numbers of rapidly developing organisms, combined with the embryonic optical clarity, served as initial compelling attributes of this model. Over the past two decades, the success of this model has been further propelled by its amenability to large-scale mutagenesis screens and by the ease of transgenesis. More recently, gene-editing approaches have extended the power of the model.
For neurodevelopmental studies, the zebrafish embryo and larva provide a model to which multiple methods can be applied. Here, we focus on methods that allow the study of an essential property of neurons, electrical excitability. Our preparation for the electrophysiological study of zebrafish spinal neurons involves the use of veterinarian suture glue to secure the preparation to a recording chamber. Alternative methods for recording from zebrafish embryos and larvae involve the attachment of the preparation to the chamber using a fine tungsten pin1,2,3,4,5. A tungsten pin is most often used to mount the preparation in a lateral orientation, although it has been used to mount larvae dorsal-side up4. The suture glue has been used to mount embryos and larvae in both orientations. Using the glue, a minimal dissection can be performed, allowing access to spinal neurons without the use of an enzymatic treatment, thereby avoiding any resultant damage. However, for larvae, it is necessary to apply a brief enzyme treatment to remove the muscle tissue surrounding the spinal cord. The methods described here have been used to study the intrinsic electrical properties of motor neurons, interneurons, and sensory neurons at several developmental stages6,7,8,9.

Zebrafish In Situ Spinal Cord Preparation for Electrophysiological Recordings from Spinal Sensory and Motor Neurons

This manuscript describes methods for electrophysiological recordings from spinal neurons of zebrafish embryos and larvae. The preparation maintains neurons in situ and often involves minimum dissection. These methods allow for the electrophysiological study of a variety of spinal neurons, from the initial electrical excitability acquisition through the early larval stages.

Zebrafish, first introduced as a developmental model, have gained popularity in many other fields. The ease of rearing large numbers of rapidly developing ...