Microinjection into cultured hippocampal neurons: a straightforward approach for controlled cellular delivery of nucleic acids, peptides and antibodies

J Neurosci Methods. 2008 Oct 30;175(1):88-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2008.08.004. Epub 2008 Aug 12.

Abstract

Functional studies in neurons often require controllable simultaneous delivery of different molecules to individual cells within networks. Microinjection represents a suitable and alternative method to deliver cDNAs, oligonucleotides, siRNAs, peptides or antibodies for expression, expression knockdown or loss-of-function studies, respectively. Moreover, molecules can be systematically applied to individual neurons in a controlled manner without affecting neighbouring cells. Establishment of microinjection is often complicated and time consuming. Here we describe a simple and reliable protocol for molecular cell biologists to establish injection of various molecules (ng to microg range) to living neurons in a reasonable period of time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Antibodies / administration & dosage*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Hippocampus / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Microinjections / methods*
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Nucleic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense / administration & dosage
  • Peptides / administration & dosage*
  • Receptors, GABA-A / genetics
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Trim27 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases