Simultaneous 16S and 18S rRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on LR White sections demonstrated in Vestimentifera (Siboglinidae) tubeworms

Traditional morphological identification of invertebrate marine species is limited in early life history stages for many taxa. In this study, we demonstrate, by example of Vestimentiferan tubeworms (Siboglinidae, Polychaeta), that the simultaneous fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of both eukaryotic host and bacterial symbiont cells is possible on a single semi-thin (1 μm) section. This allows the identification of host specimens to species level as well as offering visualization of bacteria distributed within the host tissue. Previously published 18S rRNA host-specific oligonucleotide probes for Riftia pachyptila, Tevnia jerichonana and a newly designed Oasisia alvinae probe, as well as a 16S rRNA probe targeting symbionts found in all host species, were applied. A number of standard fixation and hybridization parameters were tested and optimized for the best possible signal intensity and cellular resolution. Ethanol conserved samples embedded in LR White low viscosity resin yielded the best results with regard to both signal intensity and resolution. We show that extended storage times of specimens does not affect the quality of signals attained by FISH and use our protocol to identify morphologically unidentifiable tubeworm individuals from a small data set, conforming to previous findings in succession studies of the Siboglinidae family.     

The nucleoprotein and the viral RNA of infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) are localized in the nucleolus of infected cells

The infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV), which belongs to the new genus Isavirus of the Orthomyxoviridae family, is an important pathogen of the salmon farming industry. Indirect immunofluorescence assays carried out with monoclonal antibodies specific for the nucleoprotein (NP) reveal differential staining of sub-cellular compartments in infected cells. Particularly interesting was the staining of the nucleolus, which showed co-localization with nucleolin in CHSE-214, EPC and SHK-1 cells infected with ISAV. These results were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation studies showing an interaction between NP and nucleolin. In addition, in situ hybridization carried out with probes specific for each of the 8 RNA segments of ISAV showed that the genomic as well as the anti-genomic strands were also localized in the nucleolus. These results suggest a role of the nucleolus in the replication and/or in the packaging of the ISAV genome.     

Changes in vasoactive intestinal peptide mRNA levels in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus following p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) treatment under light/dark conditions

Photic stimulus and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) are two factors known to regulate vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) synthesis in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). To explore the role of 5-HT in the photic stimulus-induced change in VIP synthesis, we investigated the changes in level of VIP mRNA under a 12 h light/12 h dark cycle following depletion of 5-HT by intraperitoneal administration of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) methyl ester (200 mg/kg concentration) for 3 successive days. To estimate VIP mRNA expression, we performed in situ hybridization using imaging plates combined with microcomputer-based imaging analysis. In light-phase, total signals of VIP mRNA from the PCPA-treated rats showed a signifanct decrease compared with those from the saline-treated control rats. However, in dark-phase, there were no significant decreases between the PCPA-treated rats and the saline-control rats. The present results strongly suggest that 5-HT neuronal inputs to the SCN interfere with the effect of photic stimulus on VIP synthesis at the mRNA level.