Histochemical analysis of heparan sulfate 3-O-sulfotransferase expression in mouse brain.

In situ hybridization provides information for understanding the localization of gene expression in various tissues. The relative expression levels of mRNAs in a single cell can be sensitively visualized by this technique. Furthermore, since in situ hybridization is a histological technique, tissue structure is maintained after fixation, and it is possible to accurately identify cell types. We have examined the expression of heparan sulfate sulfotransferases by in situ hybridization to better understand the functions of heparan sulfate in the development of mouse nervous system. This chapter describes methods of in situ hybridization analyses using cRNA probes labeled with nonradioactive nucleotides.