Unveiling Hg-binding protein within black deposit formed on Golgi-Cox-stained brain neuron

Golgi-Cox staining has been conventionally used for investigating neuronal development. After the brain tissue is subject to Golgi-Cox staining, black deposits are formed on the surface of the stained neurons because of mercuric sulfide, which does not show a fluorescence response under two-photon excitation. However, we unexpectedly observed fluorescence emitted by these black deposits during two-photon fluorescence measurements. Further, the in-depth of physical and chemical methods analysis revealed that the black deposits on the stained neurons are composed of Hg-binding proteins.

We studied black deposits present in the Golgi-Cox-stained mouse brain neurons using techniques such as multiple-photon microscopy, scan electron microscopy, micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

The emitted fluorescence was because of the fluorescence groups of Hg-binding protein present within the Golgi-Cox deposits on the neuronal surface.

The presence of Hg-binding proteins within black deposits on the surface of Golgi-Cox-stained neurons was proven for the first time. The novel interaction between the neurons and Hg²⁺ ions during Golgi-Cox staining help to understand the mechanism of Golgi-Cox staining.