SINGLE-COLOR AND DOUBLE-COLOR OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PRIMED IN-SITU LABELING(PRINS) - APPLICATIONS IN PATHOLOGY

Molecular cytogenetics is mostly performed by fluorescence in situ hyb ridization using long DNA probes that are generated by vector cloning. Oligonucleotide primed in situ labeling (PRINS) is a recent method th at has been established for the detection of the centromeric or telome ric region in metaphase chromosomes. In this overview, we demonstrate the possible applications of PRINS and provide elaborated protocols fo r its use in intact interphase cells of routine cytological preparatio ns, e.g., cell smears, touch preparations, and cytospins of non-neopla stic and neoplastic tissues. Moreover, the various modifications of th e PRINS method, such as multi-color PRINS for targetting different chr omosomes within one cell or the enzymatic detection of the PRINS produ ct instead, of the more commonly used fluorochromes, are discussed.