Biomaterial Database

Improved in situ beta-galactosidase staining for histological analysis of transgenic mice. 1994

A Aguzzi, and F Theuring

Institute of Neuropathology, Zurich, Switzerland.

The present study describes a novel method for the histochemical demonstration of beta-galactosidase activity on tissue sections. We have replaced 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactoside (X-Gal) with 5-bromo-indolyl-beta-o-galactopyranoside (Bluo-Gal) as a chromogenic substrate for the bacterial beta-galactosidase (lacZ). After beta-galactosidic cleavage, Bluo-Gal precipitates in form of fine birefringent crystals, whereas X-gal gives rise to an amorphous precipitate. Upon microscopic examination under polarized light, the crystals emit a strong signal consisting of yellow reflected light. This property of Bluo-Gal results in greatly enhanced sensitivity of the staining method for beta-galactosidase and allows for optimal morphological resolution. To exemplify the applications of this technique, the expression is demonstrated in transgenic mice of beta-galactosidase driven by a fragment of the human tissue-type plasminogen activator promoter.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007763	Lac Operon	The genetic unit consisting of three structural genes, an operator and a regulatory gene. The regulatory gene controls the synthesis of the three structural genes: BETA-GALACTOSIDASE and beta-galactoside permease (involved with the metabolism of lactose), and beta-thiogalactoside acetyltransferase.	Lac Gene,LacZ Genes,Lactose Operon,Gene, Lac,Gene, LacZ,Genes, Lac,Genes, LacZ,Lac Genes,Lac Operons,LacZ Gene,Lactose Operons,Operon, Lac,Operon, Lactose,Operons, Lac,Operons, Lactose
D008822	Mice, Transgenic	Laboratory mice that have been produced from a genetically manipulated EGG or EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN.	Transgenic Mice,Founder Mice, Transgenic,Mouse, Founder, Transgenic,Mouse, Transgenic,Mice, Transgenic Founder,Transgenic Founder Mice,Transgenic Mouse
D008867	Microtomy	The technique of using a microtome to cut thin or ultrathin sections of tissues embedded in a supporting substance. The microtome is an instrument that hold a steel, glass or diamond knife in clamps at an angle to the blocks of prepared tissues, which it cuts in sections of equal thickness.	Thin Sectioning,Ultramicrotomy,Sectioning, Thin,Sectionings, Thin,Thin Sectionings
D010959	Tissue Plasminogen Activator	A proteolytic enzyme in the serine protease family found in many tissues which converts PLASMINOGEN to FIBRINOLYSIN. It has fibrin-binding activity and is immunologically different from UROKINASE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR. The primary sequence, composed of 527 amino acids, is identical in both the naturally occurring and synthetic proteases.	Alteplase,Plasminogen Activator, Tissue-Type,T-Plasminogen Activator,Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator,Actilyse,Activase,Lysatec rt-PA,TTPA,Tisokinase,Tissue Activator D-44,Lysatec rt PA,Lysatec rtPA,Plasminogen Activator, Tissue,Plasminogen Activator, Tissue Type,T Plasminogen Activator,Tissue Activator D 44,Tissue Type Plasminogen Activator
D003001	Cloning, Molecular	The insertion of recombinant DNA molecules from prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic sources into a replicating vehicle, such as a plasmid or virus vector, and the introduction of the resultant hybrid molecules into recipient cells without altering the viability of those cells.	Molecular Cloning
D004926	Escherichia coli	A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc.	Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D006651	Histocytochemistry	Study of intracellular distribution of chemicals, reaction sites, enzymes, etc., by means of staining reactions, radioactive isotope uptake, selective metal distribution in electron microscopy, or other methods.	Cytochemistry
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001616	beta-Galactosidase	A group of enzymes that catalyzes the hydrolysis of terminal, non-reducing beta-D-galactose residues in beta-galactosides. Deficiency of beta-Galactosidase A1 may cause GANGLIOSIDOSIS, GM1.	Lactases,Dairyaid,Lactaid,Lactogest,Lactrase,beta-D-Galactosidase,beta-Galactosidase A1,beta-Galactosidase A2,beta-Galactosidase A3,beta-Galactosidases,lac Z Protein,Protein, lac Z,beta D Galactosidase,beta Galactosidase,beta Galactosidase A1,beta Galactosidase A2,beta Galactosidase A3,beta Galactosidases
D013194	Staining and Labeling	The marking of biological material with a dye or other reagent for the purpose of identifying and quantitating components of tissues, cells or their extracts.	Histological Labeling,Staining,Histological Labelings,Labeling and Staining,Labeling, Histological,Labelings, Histological,Stainings