Molecular insights into symbiosis-mapping sterols in a marine flatworm-algae-system using high spatial resolution MALDI-2-MS imaging with ion mobility separation.

ABSTRACT: Waminoa sp. acoel flatworms hosting Symbiodiniaceae and the related Amphidinium dinoflagellate algae are an interesting model system for symbiosis in marine environments. While the host provides a microhabitat and safety, the algae power the system by photosynthesis and supply the worm with nutrients. Among these nutrients are sterols, including cholesterol and numerous phytosterols. While it is widely accepted that these compounds are produced by the symbiotic dinoflagellates, their transfer to and fate within the sterol-auxotrophic Waminoa worm host as well as their role in its metabolism are unknown. Here we used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging combined with laser-induced post-ionization and trapped ion mobility spectrometry (MALDI-2-TIMS-MS

SUBMITTER: Bien T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8007520 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature