Py3-FITC: a new fluorescent probe for live cell imaging of collagen-rich tissues and ionocytes

Polypyrrole-based polyamides are used as sequence-specific DNA probes. However, their cellular uptake and distribution are affected by several factors and have not been extensively studied in vivo. Here, we generated a series of fluorescence-conjugated polypyrrole compounds and examined their cellular distribution using live zebrafish and cultured human cells. Among the evaluated compounds, Py₃-FITC was able to visualize collagen-rich tissues, such as the jaw cartilage, opercle and bulbus arteriosus, in early-stage living zebrafish embryos. Then, we stained cultured human cells with Py₃-FITC and found that the staining became more intense as the amount of collagen was increased. In addition, Py₃-FITC-stained HR cells, which represent a type of ionocyte on the body surface of living zebrafish embryos. Py₃-FITC has low toxicity, and collagen-rich tissues and ionocytes can be visualized when soaked in Py₃-FITC solution. Therefore, Py₃-FITC may be a useful live imaging tool for detecting changes in collagen-rich tissue and ionocytes, including their mammalian analogues, during both normal development and disease progression.     

MYB3R-mediated active repression of cell cycle and growth under salt stress in Arabidopsis thaliana

Journal of Plant Research - Under environmental stress, plants are believed to actively repress their growth to save resource and alter its allocation to acquire tolerance against the stress....     

Development of a congenitally malformed Japanese monkey in a free-ranging group during the first four years of life

A malformed male Japanese monkey completely lacking both hands was observed in a free-ranging situation to four years of age. He developed a locomotor pattern appropriate to his deformity, namely, bipedal walking on hind legs. He maintained a stronger bond with his mother than did normal same-aged male monkeys and retained the same high dominance ranking order as his mother. He did not show peripheralization as did normal juvenile monkeys. No social disadvantages based on his physical deficiencies were observed at least until the end of his fourth year of life.