In situ hybridization: principles and applications

In situ hybridization is a molecular biological technique recently introduced in histology. Its principle consists of forming stable nucleic hybrids in tissues or cells. In this review, the main steps of the technique are discussed in regard to the preparation of probes and their labelling, the fixation of tissues and cells and their permeabilization in order to facilitate the penetration of labelled probes. Conditions of hybridization and requisite control reactions are also analysed. Quantification possible when radioactive probes are used is detailed. The three current applications of in situ hybridization, the localization of a gene on a chromosome, the demonstration of viral genomes in cells and the investigation of messenger RNAs coding for a determined protein, are illustrated with specific examples.