Title: Toward Mass Spectrometry Imaging in the Metabolomics Scale: Increasing Metabolic Coverage Through Multiple On-Tissue Chemical Modifications

Abstract

Exploring the metabolic differences directly on tissues is essential for the comprehensive understanding of how multicellular organisms function. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is an attractive technique toward this goal; however, MSI in metabolomics scale has been hindered by multiple limitations. This is most notable for single cell level high-spatial resolution imaging because of the limited number of molecules in small sampling size and the low ionization yields of many metabolites. Several on-tissue chemical derivatization approaches have been reported to increase MSI signals of targeted compounds, especially in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)- MSI. Herein, we adopt a combination of chemical derivatization reactions, to selectively enhance metabolite signals of a specific functional group for each consecutive tissue section. Three well-known on-tissue derivatization methods were used as a proof of concept experiment: coniferyl aldehyde for primary amines, Girard’s reagent T for carbonyl groups, and 2-picolylamine for carboxylic acids. This strategy was applied to the cross-sections of leaves and roots from two different maize genotypes (B73 and Mo17), and enabled the detection of over six hundred new unique metabolite features compared to without modification. Statistical analysis indicated quantitative variation between metabolites in the tissue sections, while MS images revealed differences in localization of thesemore » metabolites. Combined, this untargeted approach facilitated the visualization of various classes of compounds, demonstrating the potential for untargeted MSI in the metabolomics scale.« less

Authors:

Dueñas, Maria Emilia; Larson, Evan A.; Lee, Young Jin

Publication Date:

Fri Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:

Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); American Chemical Society (ACS); Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP)

OSTI Identifier:

1542477

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1903827

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Frontiers in Plant Science

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Frontiers in Plant Science Journal Volume: 10; Journal ID: ISSN 1664-462X

Publisher:

Frontiers Media SA

Country of Publication:

Switzerland

Language:

English

Subject:

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; mass spectrometry imaging; metabolomics; on-tissue derivatization; high-spatial resolution; maize; single cell