X-gal Staining of Electroporated Sea Squirt (Ciona) Embryos

INTRODUCTION

This protocol describes the fixation, staining, and mounting of sea squirt (Ciona intestinalis) embryos and larvae that have been electroporated with a plasmid DNA containing a cis-regulatory DNA (e.g., tissue-specific enhancer) fused to the lacZ reporter gene. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter genes can be directly visualized in living embryos and larvae, although fixed preparations can use aspects of this protocol.