Open AccessWGA‐Alexa Conjugates for Axonal Tracing
Author(s) -
Levy Sabrina L.,
White Joshua J.,
Lackey Elizabeth P.,
Schwartz Lindsey,
Sillitoe Roy V.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
current protocols in neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.307
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1934-8576
pISSN - 1934-8584
DOI - 10.1002/cpns.28
Subject(s) - tracing , wheat germ agglutinin , neuroscience , computer science , cerebellum , anterograde tracing , central nervous system , biology , lectin , biochemistry , operating system
Anatomical labeling approaches are essential for understanding brain organization. Among these approaches are various methods of performing tract tracing. However, a major hurdle to overcome when marking neurons in vivo is visibility. Poor visibility makes it challenging to image a desired neuronal pathway so that it can be easily differentiated from a closely neighboring pathway. As a result, it becomes impossible to analyze individual projections or their connections. The tracer that is chosen for a given purpose has a major influence on the quality of the tracing. Here, we describe the wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) tracer conjugated to Alexa fluorophores for reliable high‐resolution tracing of central nervous system projections. Using the mouse cerebellum as a model system, we implement WGA‐Alexa tracing for marking and mapping neural circuits that control motor function. We also show its utility for marking localized regions of the cerebellum after performing single‐unit extracellular recordings in vivo. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.