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RNA in situ hybridization is a powerful method to investigate post-transcriptional regulation, but analysis of intracellular mRNA distributions in thick, complex tissues like the brain poses significant challenges. Here, we describe the application of single-molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) to quantitate primary nascent transcription and post-transcriptional regulation in whole-mount Drosophila larval and adult brains. Combining immunofluorescence and smFISH probes for different regions of a single gene, i.e., exons, 3'UTR, and introns, we show examples of a gene that is regulated post-transcriptionally and one that is regulated at the level of transcription. Our simple and rapid protocol can be used to co-visualise a variety of different transcripts and proteins in neuronal stem cells as well as deep brain structures such as mushroom body neuropils, using conventional confocal microscopy. Finally, we introduce the use of smFISH as a sensitive alternative to immunofluorescence for labelling specific neural stem cell populations in the brain.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.06.025

Type

Journal article

Journal

Methods

Publication Date

15/08/2017

Volume

126

Pages

166 - 176

Keywords

Brain, Central nervous system (CNS), Fluorescence in situ hybridization, Post-transcriptional regulation, Primary transcription, Single molecule, Thick tissues, mRNA, Animals, Brain, Drosophila, In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence, RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional, Single Molecule Imaging