Brain protein and messenger RNA identification in the same cell.

We have devised techniques with which to detect specific proteins as well as mRNAs in individual cells of the nervous system. We have localized proteins to specific cells in sections of the neonatal rat cerebellum by immunofluorescence and in the same cells have localized mRNAs by in situ hybridization. The specific protein identified was glial fibrillary acidic protein. The [3H] complementary DNA probes used in the in situ hybridization experiments were synthesized using as templates polyadenylated mRNAs isolated from neonatal rat cerebellum. Such dual detection can be used to assess the cellular sites of synthesis of the many proteins that have been localized in brain and other tissues by immunohistochemistry.