ABSTRACT
Protocol 6.3: AgNOR procedure for cytological preparations 170
Protocol 6.4: Wet autoclave pretreatment in AgNOR demonstration
Protocol 6.5: Microwave modification of the AgNOR procedure
Protocol 6.6: Fixation-microwave modification of the AgNOR procedure
Protocol 6.7: Gold chloride blue-black toning of AgNOR results
Protocol 6.8: Potassium hexacyanoferrate (III) blue toning of AgNOR results
Protocol 6.9: Chromogenic toning of AgNOR results 176
Protocol 6.10: Combined DAPI and AgNOR demonstration of nuclear and nucleolar components
Protocol 6.11: Combined Feulgen and AgNOR demonstration of nuclear and nucleolar components
Protocol 6.12: Immunoperoxidase procedure for intranuclear immunocytochemistry
Protocol 6.13: Saponin permeabilisation for intracellular immunocytochemistry
Protocol 6.14: Nonidet permeabilisation for intracellular immunocytochemistry
Protocol 6.15: Acetone permeabilisation for intracellular immunocytochemistry
Protocol 6.16: Temperature permeabilisation for intracellularimmunocytochemistry
6.4 References 185
6.1 Introduction
The nucleolus was first described by Fontana in 1781, and the term ‘nucleolus’ or ‘small nucleus’ was coined by Valentin in 1839. Later in the 1800s it was established that the nucleolus is an unbound area of the nucleus and that it is not a permanent body, disappearing during prophase. During the early 20th century it became apparent that the nucleolus is associated with chromosomes and, in particular, chromosome regions. By 1952, nucleoli had been isolated and shown to contain both DNA and RNA. The second half of the 20th century saw the development of new technologies, including electron microscopy, which led to significant advances in our understanding of nucleolar structure in relation to function. Thiry and Goessens have compiled a comprehensive historical overview of the development of our knowledge of nucleolar structure and function [1].
