Figure 1.

(A) Schematic illustration of a multifunctional nanocomplex (fNC) as an integrated system for tandem activation and imaging of the dynamics of mRNA sequential expression during the process of neural stem cell differentiation. Upon cellular uptake of the nanocomplex, the release of stimulating motif (RA) was controlled by Schiff base formation and hydrolysis through an endogenous mechinary. The released RA efficiently activated the subsequent signaling pathway to stimulate specific gene expression. In the meanwhile, the NC probe underwent sequence-specific recognition and spatiotemporal imaging of sequential mRNA expression during the process of neural stem cell differentiation. RALDH: retinaldehyde dehydrogenase; CRABP: cellular RA binding protein; RARE: RA responsive element; RXR: retinoid X receptor. (B) Design of the recognizing and reporter oligonucleotides for Tubb3 and Fox 3 mRNA imaging. Oligonucleotides marked with * indicate methylation.