Method for visualizing gene expression in developing animals:
The immunolocalization of protein expression would allow detecting within a cell where a protein is localized. It is the use of immunological techniques to identify the location of protein within the tissues.
The technique depends on the isolation of cDNA clones, which represents the mature mRNA and protein.
Immunolocalization has following steps.
1. cDNA clone for a gene.
2. Express protein in bacteria.
3. Inject protein into vertebrate host.
4. Extract antibodies (IgG) to protein.
Then incubate the embryos or dissected tissue with antibody. The antibody binds to protein. After that, wash away the unbound antibody.
Then add flurochrome conjugated antibody to IgG of host species and wash away unbound antibody.
Therefore, the protein expression can be visualized in fluorescence microscope.