Using the Parafilm-assisted Microdissection (PAM) Method to Sample Rodent Nucleus Accumbens

Author(s)

Pagliusi Jr, Marco ; Brandao, Arthur F. ^[1] ; Zanetti, Gabriel G. ^[1] ; Bonet, Ivan J. M. ^[2] ; Sartori, Cesar R. ^[1] ; Vieira, Andre S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Pagliusi Jr, Jr., Marco, Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, Campinas - Brazil

^[2] Univ Calif San Francisco, Dept Oral & Maxillofacial Surg, San Francisco, CA 94143 - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIO-PROTOCOL; v. 10, n. 23 DEC 5 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Microdissection techniques are very important for anatomical and functional studies focused on neuroscience, where it is often necessary microdissect specific brain areas to perform molecular or anatomical analyses. The parafile-assisted microdissection (PAM) was previously described and involves the microdissection of tissue sections mounted on parafilm-covered glass slides. In this work, we describe the use of the PAM method to microdissect rodent nucleus accumbens (NAc). (1) We first describe the best way to perform the mouse euthanasia and how to remove the brain. (2) Next, we describe how to prepare the slides with parafilm (R) that will be used to receive the brain slices. (3) Following, we describe how to handle the brain in the cryostat, how to align the hemispheres and how to identify the NAc antero-posterior limits. (4) We also describe how to perform the staining and dehydration of the slices, a critical step to facilitate the microdissection and preserve macromolecules. (5) In the final step, we describe how to identify the dorso-ventral and latero-medial limits of the NAc and, finally, how to perform the manual microdissection of the area. This is a low-cost technique that allows the researcher to specifically microdissect any brain region, from which intact RNA and proteins can be extracted to perform several molecular analyses (e.g., real-time PCR, Western blot, and RNA-seq). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/09749-4 - Study of social defeat stress effects on nociceptive behavior in mice and neurobiological mechanisms associated
• Grantee: Marco Oreste Finocchio Pagliusi Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/26777-7 - Study of preventive and therapeutic effects of physical exercise on hyperalgesia induced by social defeat stress in mice and associated neuroplastic mechanisms.
• Grantee: Cesar Renato Sartori
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants