Automated reporter quantification in vivo: high-throughput screening method for reporter-based assays in zebrafish

PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e29916. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029916. Epub 2012 Jan 4.

Abstract

Reporter-based assays underlie many high-throughput screening (HTS) platforms, but most are limited to in vitro applications. Here, we report a simple whole-organism HTS method for quantifying changes in reporter intensity in individual zebrafish over time termed, Automated Reporter Quantification in vivo (ARQiv). ARQiv differs from current "high-content" (e.g., confocal imaging-based) whole-organism screening technologies by providing a purely quantitative data acquisition approach that affords marked improvements in throughput. ARQiv uses a fluorescence microplate reader with specific detection functionalities necessary for robust quantification of reporter signals in vivo. This approach is: 1) Rapid; achieving true HTS capacities (i.e., >50,000 units per day), 2) Reproducible; attaining HTS-compatible assay quality (i.e., Z'-factors of ≥0.5), and 3) Flexible; amenable to nearly any reporter-based assay in zebrafish embryos, larvae, or juveniles. ARQiv is used here to quantify changes in: 1) Cell number; loss and regeneration of two different fluorescently tagged cell types (pancreatic beta cells and rod photoreceptors), 2) Cell signaling; relative activity of a transgenic Notch-signaling reporter, and 3) Cell metabolism; accumulation of reactive oxygen species. In summary, ARQiv is a versatile and readily accessible approach facilitating evaluation of genetic and/or chemical manipulations in living zebrafish that complements current "high-content" whole-organism screening methods by providing a first-tier in vivo HTS drug discovery platform.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Automation / methods
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Gene Dosage* / physiology
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Reporter*
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Validation Studies as Topic
  • Zebrafish* / embryology
  • Zebrafish* / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria