Use of laser capture microdissection for analysis of retinal mRNA/miRNA expression and DNA methylation

Methods Mol Biol. 2012:884:289-304. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-848-1_21.

Abstract

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) is a useful method to isolate specific cells or cell layers of interest from heterogeneous tissues, such as the retina. The collected cells can be used for DNA, RNA, or protein analysis. We have applied LCM technology to isolate cells from the outer nuclear, inner nuclear, and ganglion cell layers of the retina for mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression and epigenetic (DNA methylation) analysis. Here, we describe the methods we have employed for sample preparation, LCM-based isolation of retinal layers, RNA/DNA extraction, RNA quality check, microRNA analysis by quantitative PCR, and DNA methylation analysis by bisulfite sequencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Methylation*
  • DNA, Complementary / chemical synthesis
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Laser Capture Microdissection / methods*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Quality Control
  • RNA / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Retina / metabolism*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA