Isolation of nuclei and downstream processing of cell-type-specific nuclei from micro-dissected mouse brain regions – techniques and caveats

AbstractThe mammalian brain consists of several structurally and functionally distinct regions equipped with an equally complex cell-type system. Due to its relevance in uncovering disease mechanisms, the study of cell-type-specific molecular signatures of different brain regions has increased. The rapid evolution of newer and cheaper sequencing techniques has also boosted the interest in cell-type-specific epigenetic studies. In fact, the nucleus holds most of the cell’s epigenetic information and is quite resistant to tissue dissociation processes as compared to cells. As such, nuclei are continually preferred over cells for epigenetic studies. However, the isolation of nuclei from cells …