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Identification of effective substrates for the direct analysis of lipids from cell lines using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Srimany Amitava,
Jayashree Balasubramanyam,
Krishnakumar Subramanian,
Elchuri Sailaja,
Pradeep Thalappil
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.7111
Subject(s) - chemistry , chromatography , mass spectrometry , filter paper , desorption electrospray ionization , electrospray , electrospray ionization , substrate (aquarium) , analytical chemistry (journal) , ionization , chemical ionization , ion , oceanography , organic chemistry , geology
Rationale Various disease conditions, particularly tumours, can be understood easily by studying changes in the lipid profile of cells. While lipid profiles of tissues have been recorded by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (DESI‐MS) imaging, there is paucity in standardized protocols for sample preparation involving cell cultures to generate reliable results. In this study, we report a method for the direct analysis of lipids from cultured cells by incorporating them onto Whatman 42 filter paper as a substrate for reliable DESI‐MS analysis. Methods The WERI‐RB1 cell line was spotted on commonly used substrates for DESI‐MS analysis, such as glass slides, Teflon coated glass slides, thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates, and Whatman 42 filter paper. A comparison of mass spectrometric images with two different lipids was made to understand the behaviour of different surfaces when the same sample was spotted on them. Relative intensities of different lipid peaks in the WERI‐RB1 cell line were compared and relative lipid abundances were also compared across two different human retinoblastoma cell lines; WERI‐RB1 and Y79. Results The study demonstrates that good lipid signals can be obtained by DESI‐MS when the cells are spotted on Whatman 42 filter paper. Tandem mass spectrometry was performed to identify the lipids as glycerophosphocholines (PC). Better lipid images from assembly of cells were obtained with distinct boundary when they were spotted on Whatman 42 filter paper than other surfaces. Conclusions We demonstrate the use of a simple substrate for reliable DESI‐MS analysis of cultured cells. This method has the potential to understand various interactions of cells with other external agents. The current method would help in the application of DESI‐MS for biology in general and medical sciences in particular. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.