Fine structural specific visualization of RNA on ultrathin sections

Abstract

We describe a new technique that allows specific visualization of RNA at the electron microscopic level by means of terbium citrate. Under the conditions presented here, terbium binds selectively to RNA and stains nucleoli, interchromatin granules, peri-chromatin fibrils, perichromatin granules, and coiled bodies in the cell nucleus, whereas ribosomes are the only contrasted structures in the cytoplasm. All the cell components contrasted by terbium are known to contain RNA. When ultrathin sections are pretreated with RNase A or nuclease S1 (specific for single-stranded nucleic acids), staining does not occur. Neither DNase nor pronase influences the reaction. We conclude that terbium staining is selective for RNA and especially for single-stranded RNA. The staining can be performed on thin sections of material embedded both in epoxy and in acrylic resins. The technique is not influenced by the aldehyde fixative used and can also be utilized after immunolabeling. The endproduct is very fine and, although weak in contrast, is suitable for high-resolution observations.