Localization of nucleic acid sequences by EM in situ hybridization using colloidal gold labels

Abstract

It is possible to combine hybridization to specimens on electron-microscope grids of nucleic-acid probes labelled nonisotopically with immunogold detection of hybrid sites to map the position of target sequences rapidly and precisely. The basic technique is described, and examples are provided to illustrate the types of questions which can be approached in the general area of higher-order chromosome organization and function. A combination of two differentially labelled probes and two different-sized gold particles permits the simultaneous detection of closely linked or interspersed sequences.