Quantitative Imaging of Proteins in Tissue by Stable Isotope Labeled Mimetic Liquid Extraction Surface Analysis Mass Spectrometry

Absolute quantification of proteins in tissue is important for numerous fields of study. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods are the norm but typically involve lengthy sample preparation including tissue homogenization, which results in the loss of information relating to spatial distribution. Here, we propose liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) mass spectrometry (MS) of stable isotope labeled mimetic tissue models for the spatially resolved quantification of intact ubiquitin in rat and mouse brain tissue. Measured ubiquitin concentrations are in agreement with values found in the literature. Images of rat and mouse brain tissue demonstrate spatial variation in the concentration of ubiquitin and demonstrate the utility of spatially resolved quantitative measurement of proteins in tissue. Although we have focused on ubiquitin, the method has the potential for broader application to the absolute quantitation of any endogenous protein or protein-based drug in tissue.