Single- and double-color oligonucleotide primed in situ labeling (PRINS): applications in pathology

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