Fixation and paraffin-embedding of mouse tissues for GFP visualization

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its variants are used in many applications, including protein localization, high-throughput screening, and gene discovery. Transgenes that use GFP-based proteins as a reporter provide a convenient way to follow protein expression over the course of development and disease progression in the mouse. The basic principle of visualizing fluorescent proteins is the same as for the fluorophores used in fluorescent microscopy. This protocol describes a method for fixation and paraffin-embedding of fresh mouse embryos or tissue for use in GFP microscopy.