Acidic Methanol Treatment Facilitates Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Energy Metabolism.

ABSTRACT: Detection of small molecule metabolites (SMM), particularly those involved in energy metabolism using MALDI-mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), is challenging due to factors including ion suppression from other analytes present (e.g., proteins and lipids). One potential solution to enhance SMM detection is to remove analytes that cause ion suppression from tissue sections before matrix deposition through solvent washes. Here, we systematically investigated solvent treatment conditions to improve SMM signal and preserve metabolite localization. Washing with acidic methanol significantly enhances the detection of phosphate-containing metabolites involved in energy metabolism. The improved detection is due to removing lipids and highly polar metabolites that cause ion suppression and denaturing

SUBMITTER: Lu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10568533 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature