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Treatment of Tissue Sections for In Situ Hybridization

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In Situ Hybridization Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 326))

Summary

The treatment of tissue sections to enhance probe access to target mRNA is a critical step in the methodology of in situ hybridization. We have overcome some of the problems encountered in enzyme-based treatment of tissue sections by the application of microwave oven heating. Microwave treatment can (1) replace proteinase K digestion for frozen sections; (2) enhance proteinase K digestion in paraffin sections; (3) denature mRNA structure to enable better probe access; (4) preserve tissue architecture; and (5) inactivate endogenous alkaline phosphatase within tissue sections to reduce background with immunohistochemistry-based probe detection.

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References

  1. Lan H. Y., Mu W., Ng Y. Y., Nikolic-Paterson D. J., and Atkins R. C. (1996) A simple, reliable and sensitive method for nonradioactive in situ hybridization: use of microwave heating to improve hybridization efficiency and preserve tissue morphology. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 44, 281–287.

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc.

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Tesch, G.H., Lan, H.Y., Nikolic-Paterson, D.J. (2006). Treatment of Tissue Sections for In Situ Hybridization. In: Darby, I.A., Hewitson, T.D. (eds) In Situ Hybridization Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 326. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59745-007-3:1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59745-007-3:1

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-402-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-007-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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