title: Analysis of xanthophore and pterinosome biogenesis in zebrafish using methylene blue and pteridine autofluorescence.
abstract: We have identified two simple methods to analyse xanthophore and pterinosome biogenesis in zebrafish. The first uses methylene blue (methylthionium chloride), a redox dye which specifically labels xanthophores and pterinosomes, while the second uses autofluorescence to detect pteridine levels; these methods may be used to detect the number, location and shape of xanthophores and pterinosomes. These assays were applied to two zebrafish mutants--brie and yobo--and revealed that both mutants have pterinosome biogenesis and pteridine synthesis defects. Additionally, using capillary electrophoresis, we provide evidence that sepiapterin is responsible for the yellow colour and blue-light induced fluorescence in zebrafish embryos.
authors.affiliation: Fish Developmental Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Agrobiology, Singapore.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Le Guyader
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jesuthasan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005453:Fluorescence; D008027:Light; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000378:metabolism; D011621:Pteridines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011622:Pterins; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D011621:Pteridines; D011622:Pterins; C016727:sepiapterin; D008751:Methylene Blue