Live-cell imaging of PVD dendritic growth cone in post-embryonic C. elegans

Live-cell imaging analysis provides tremendous information for the study of cellular events such as growth cone migration in neuronal development. Here, we describe a protocol for live-cell imaging of migrating PVD dendritic growth cones in the nematode C. elegans by spinning-disk confocal microscopy. Fluorescently labeled growth cones and cytoskeletal proteins could be continuously observed for 4-6 h in mid-stage larvae. This protocol is suitable for revealing the dynamic molecular and cellular events in dendrite and axon development of C. elegans. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Chen et al. (2019).

Automated summary

This protocol outlines how to use spinning-disk confocal microscopy to perform live-cell imaging of migrating PVD dendritic growth cones in C. elegans, allowing continuous observation for 4-6 hours and revealing dynamic molecular and cellular events in dendrite and axon development.