Analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Human Paraoxonase 1 Gene(Q192R) with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Introduction Single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） are the most abundant DNA markers in the human genome occurring at a frequency of one in every 500--1000 nucleotides. A variety of methods have been used for the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms, including restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP）, direct sequencing by using laser-induced fluorescence detectionTM, fluorescence energy transfer, MALDI-TOF MS combined with primer extension or invasive cleavage, and fluorescence polarization. During the past two decades, mass spectrometry has become a very popular tool in the analysis of biomolecules and is perfectly suited to the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） due to its speed, low cost, and accuracy. In this work, we used MALDI TOF mass spectrometry to detect the fragments of restriction endonuclease hydrolysis of PCR products flanking a SNP located at paraoxonase 1（Q192R）. Compared with electrophoresis, this method requires less time of analysis and possess a higher accuracy.

A novel sample preparation method of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry for polystyrene

A novel sample preparation method of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for polystyrene was reported. Compared to the conventional dried-droplet method, the efficiency of ionization and signal intensity of mass spectra were improved. The mechanism was also analyzed.

MicrobMatcher: a microbial comparison software based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was investigated as a method for the rapid identifica-tion of species. Current demand in microbial identi-fication is how to compare unknown strains to the known one quickly, semi-automatically and accurately. In this paper, we present a software tool that allows flexibly microbial matching in a user-friendly way, by letting the users to customize comparison parameters including: in vitro transcription enzyme, mass tolerance,minimum fragment length, intensity threshold and corresponding weights. We provide three spectral scoring functions to compute the affin-ity between the species. Therefore, the precision of microbial comparison increases. To test and verify this tool, we employed experimental spectral data based on MALDI-TOFMS and the gene sequences of E.coli and Salmonella. This software is written in Java for cross-platform intention.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry traces the geographical source of Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus forskali,involved in schistosomiasis transmission

Background Freshwater snails of the genera Bulinus spp.,Biomphalaria spp.,and Oncomelania spp.are the main intermediate hosts of human and animal schistosomiasis.Identification of these snails has long been based on mor-phological and/or genomic criteria,which have their limitations.These limitations include a lack of precision for the morphological tool and cost and time for the DNA-based approach.Recently,Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorp-tion/lonization Time-Of-Flight(MALDI-TOF)mass spectrometry,a new tool used which is routinely in clinical microbi-ology,has emerged in the field of malacology for the identification of freshwater snails.This study aimed to evaluate the ability of MALDI-TOF MS to identify Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus forskali snail populations according to their geographicalorigin.Methods This study was conducted on 101 Bi.pfeifferi and 81 Bu.forskali snails collected in three distinct geo-graphical areas of Senegal(the North-East,South-East and central part of the country),and supplemented with wild and laboratory strains.Specimens which had previously been morphologically described were identified by MALDl-TOF MS[identification log score values(LSV)≥1.7],after an initial blind test using the pre-existing database.After DNA-based identification,new reference spectra of Bi.pfeiferi(n=10)and Bu.forskali(n=5)from the geographical areas were added to the MALDI-TOF spectral database.The final blind test against this updated database was per-formed to assess identification at the geographic source level.Results MALDI-TOF MS correctly identified 92.1%of 101 Bi.pfeifferi snails and 98.8%of 81 Bu.forskali snails.At the final blind test,88%of 166 specimens were correctly identified according to both their species and sampling site,with LSVs ranging from 1.74 to 2.70.The geographical source was adequately identified in 90.1%of 91 Bi.pfeifferi and 85.3%of 75 Bu.forskalii samples.Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that MALDI-TOF MS can identify and differentiate snail populations according to geographical origin.It outperforms the current DNA-based approaches in discriminating laboratory from wild strains.This inexpensive high-throughput approach is likely to further revolutionise epidemiological studies in areas which are endemic for schistosomiasis.

Plasmonic polydopamine-modified TiO_(2)nanotube substrates for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging

Mass spectrometry imaging(MSI)has made the spatio-chemical characterization of a broad range of small-molecule metabolites within biological tissues possible.However,available matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI-MS)suffers from severe background interferences in low-mass ranges and inhomogeneous matrix deposition.Thus,surface-assisted LDI-MS(SALDI-MS)has been an attractive alternative for high-sensitivity detection and imaging of small biomolecules.In this study,we construct a new composite substrate,hydrophobic polydopamine(hPDA)-modified TiO_(2)nanotube(TDNT)coated with plasmonic gold nanoparticle(AuNP-hPDA-TDNT),as a dual-polarity SALDI substrate using an easy and cost-effective fabrication approach.Benefitting from the synergistic effects of TDNT semiconductor and plasmonic PDA modification,this SALDI substrate exhibits superior performance for dual-polarity detection of a vast diversity of small molecules.Highly reduced background interferences,lower detection limits,and spot-to-spot repeatability can be achieved using AuNP-hPDA-TDNT substrates.Due to its unique imprinting performance,various metabolites and lipids can be visualized within jatropha integerrima petals,ginkgo leaves,strawberry fruits,and latent fingerprints.More valuably,the universality of this matrix-free substrate is demonstrated for mapping spatial distribution of lipids within mouse brain tissue sections.Considered together,this AuNP-hPDA-TDNT material is expected to be a promising SALDI substrate in various fields,especially in nanomaterial development and life sciences.

Detection of lung adenocarcinoma using magnetic beads based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry serum protein profiling

Background Recently, due to the rapid development of proteomic techniques, great advance has been made in many scientific fields. We aimed to use magnetic beads （liquid chip） based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-MS） technology to screen distinctive biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma （adCA）, and to establish the diagnostic protein profiles. Methods Using weak cation exchange magnetic beads （MB-WCX） to isolate and purify low molecular weight proteins from sera of 35 lung adCA, 46 benign lung diseases （BLDs） and 44 healthy individuals. The resulting spectra gained by anchor chip-MALDI-TOF-MS were analyzed by ClinProTools and a pattern recognition genetic algorithm （GA）. Results In the working mass range of 800-10 000 Da, 99 distinctive peaks were resolved in lung adCA versus BLDs, while 101 peaks were resolved in lung adCA versus healthy persons. The profile gained by GA that could distinguish adCA from BLDs was comprised of 4053.88, 4209.57 and 3883.33 Da with sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 93%, while that could separate adCA from healthy control was comprised of 2951.83 Da and 4209.73 Da with sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 95%. The sensitivity provided by carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA） in this experiment was significantly lower than our discriminatory profiles （P 〈0.005）. We further identified a eukaryotic peptide chain release factor GTP-binding subunit （eRF3b） （4209 Da） and a complement C3f （1865 Da） that may serve as candidate biomarkers for lung adCA. Conclusion Magnetic beads based MALDI-TOF-MS technology can rapidly and effectively screen distinctive proteins/polypeptides from sera of lung adCA patients and controls, which has potential value for establishing a new diagnostic method for lung adCA.

Serum proteomic profiling for autism using magnetic bead-assisted matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry: a pilot study

Background The pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders remains elusive and currently there are no diagnostic or pre-dictive biomarkers in autism available. Proteomic profiling has been used in a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorder studies, which could produce deeper perceptions of the molecular bases behind certain disease and potentially becomes useful in discovering biomarkers in autism spectrum disorders. Methods Serum samples were collected from autistic children about 3 years old in age (n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 20) in similar age and gender. The samples were identified specific proteins that are diff erentially expressed by magnetic bead-based pre-fractionation and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF-MS). Results Eight protein peaks were significantly different in autistic children from the healthy controls (P < 0.0001). The two peaks with the most significant diff erences were 6428 and 7758 Da in size. Conclusion According to diff erences in serum protein profiles between the autistic children and healthy controls, this study identified a set of diff erentially expressed proteins those are significant for further evaluation and might function as biomark-ers in autism.

Recent Advances in Surface-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Its Imaging for Small Molecules

Mass spectrometry imaging(MSI)has provided a new perspective on acquiring spatial information of multiple molecules in various samples.Among the different ionization methods,matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization(MALDI)has been widely utilized for detecting macromolecules,with difficulty for small molecules(m/z<700 Da)due to the matrix interference or ionization suppression.In the past two decades,surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(SALDI-MS)gives rise to lots of attention on account of its unique performances,especially in untargeted analysis of small molecules.Selecting an appropriate substrate is a precondition for SALDI-MS and offers the possibility for SALDI-MS imaging(SALDI-MSI).In the last 5 years,different kinds of nanomaterials have been widely explored as substrates including metal/metal oxide-based,carbon-based,silicon-based,metal-organic frameworks-based,covalent organic frameworksbased substrates,with growing interests on composite materials and nanomaterials with homogeneous film structure.This review highlights recent advances of various nanomaterials as SALDI substrates,and their emerging imaging applications in botanic,forensic,metabolic and pathological fields.Finally,the merits and limitations of SALDI-MS are sketched out and some recommendations of this technique and its imaging are proposed.

Detection of Sialylated N-Linked Glycans by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Native and methyl-esterified sialylated glycans were analyzed with 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone（THAP）and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid（DHB）as matrix by a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer（MALDI-TOF MS）.High quality negative-ion spectra of commercial sialylated glycan were obtained with THAP as matrix.Detection limit of the glycan was less than 0.1 pmol.After methyl esterification of sialic acid（SA）residue,sialylated glycans were detected sensitively in the positive-ion mode using DHB as matrix.Neutral and sialylated glycans from the mixture of asialofetuin and fetuin were methylesterified and simultaneously recognized in one manipulation.Methyl esterification of SA residue offers a convenient and sensitive way to identify the structure of N-linked glycans for glycan profiling.

大鼠脊髓损伤模型中脂质分布和变化MALDI成像分析

基质辅助激光解吸电离质谱(MALDI-MS)具有软电离性质,可以得到单电荷离子的简洁谱图,是分析生物分子的有力工具。基质辅助激光解吸电离质谱成像(MALDI-MSI)技术为生物分析提供了一种同时成像多种化合物的原位可视化工具。本团队前期发展了一种新型基质(E)-丙基-α-氰-4-羟基肉桂酸盐(CHCA-C3),其适用于分析疏水性蛋白和多肽。本工作将CHCA-C3用于大鼠脊髓损伤(SCI)模型中脂质的检测,对原发性脊髓损伤和继发性脊髓损伤后脊髓中脂质的分布和发生的变化进行原位成像分析。使用CHCA-C3基质,在m/z500~900范围内成功检测出251个质谱峰。通过比对数据库获得25种脂质,发现其中4种脂质在损伤12 h(急性期)、3天(亚急性期)、7天(亚急性期)呈现明显的差异性。利用分区模型(SM)和主成分分析(PCA)对检测出的251个谱峰进行全面分析,发现在SCI的不同阶段,代谢物分布存在明显变化。本研究结果不仅拓展了CHCA-C3基质在MALDI-MSI中的应用,也为了解脊髓损伤发展过程中脂质分子的变化提供了有意义信息。

MALDI coupled with laser-postionization and trapped ion mobility spectrometry contribute to the enhanced detection of lipids in cancer cell spheroids

Cancer cell spheroids(CCS) are a valuable three-dimensional cell model in cancer studies because they could replicate numerous characteristics of solid tumors. Increasing researches have used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging(MALDI-MSI) to investigate the spatial distribution of endogenous compounds(e.g., lipids) in CCS. However, only limited lipid species can be detected owing to a low ion yield by using MALDI. Besides, it is still challenging to fully characterize the structural diversity of lipids due to the existence of isomeric/isobaric species. Here, we carried out the initial application of MALDI coupled with laser-postionization(MALDI-2) and trapped ion mobility spectrometry(TIMS) imaging in HCT116 colon CCS to address these challenges. We demonstrated that MALDI-2 is capable of detecting more number and classes of lipids in HCT116 colon CCS with higher signal intensities than MALDI. TIMS could successfully separate numerous isobaric/isomeric species of lipids in CCS. Interestingly, we found that some isomeric/isobaric species have totally different spatial distributions in colon CCS. Further MS/MS imaging analysis was employed to determine the compositions of fatty acid chains for isomeric species by examining disparities in signal intensities and spatial distributions of product ions. This work stresses the robust ability of TIMS and MALDI-2 imaging in analyzing endogenous lipids in CCS, which could potentially become powerful tools for future cancer studies.

面向小分子检测的MALDI MS基质研究进展

低分子量化合物的分析与鉴定对于追踪药物分布和探究生物体内不同的代谢途径至关重要.基质辅助激光解吸电离质谱(MALDI MS)在生物分子分析方面发挥着重要作用,但是传统的有机基质自身电离产生的碎片信号会对小分子检测造成干扰,且基质与样品结晶的不均匀性也严重影响信号的重复性和成像的空间分辨率.为了克服这些问题,研究者们开发了一系列适用于小分子检测的基质.本文介绍了用于小分子检测的MALDI MS基质开发的研究进展,主要包括去质子化基质、改性商业化基质、高分子量有机基质、反应性基质和纳米材料基质,并对新型的MALDI MS基质的适用范围与应用领域进行了总结和展望.

Mass spectrometry-based serum peptide profiling in hepatocellular carcinoma with bone metastasis

AIM: To investigate the potential of serum peptides as a diagnostic tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bone metastasis.

Identification of serum biomarkers for diagnosing stage Ⅰ lung adenocarcinoma by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Objective To identify specific biomarkers that could improve early diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technology. Methods Serum samples were isolated from 17 patients with stage Ⅰ lung adenocarcinoma and 17 age-and sex-matched healthy controls,and the serum proteomic profiles were obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Results Compared with healthy control group,two highly expressed potential biomarkers were identified with the relative molecular weights of 6 631.64 Da and 4 964.21 Da. The two best novel protein peaks were automatically chosen for the system training and the development of the constructed model. The constructed model was then used to test an independent set of masked serum samples from 15 lung adenocarcinoma patients and 22 healthy individuals. The analysis yielded a sensitivity of 93.3%,and a specificity of 95.5%. Conclusion These results suggest that MALDI-TOF-MS ProteinChip technology is a quick,convenient,and high-output analyzing method that is capable of selecting several relatively potential biomarkers from the serum of lung adenocarcinoma patients and may have a clinical value in the future,and will provide clues to identifying new serologic biomarkers of lung adenocarcinoma.

Nocardia cyriacigeorgica infection in a patient with repeated fever and CD4+T cell deficiency:A case report

BACKGROUND Nocardia pneumonia shares similar imaging and clinical features with pulmonary tuberculosis and lung neoplasms,but the treatment and anti-infective medication are completely different.Here,we report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis caused by Nocardia cyriacigeorgica(N.cyriacigeorgica),which was misdiagnosed as community-acquired pneumonia(CAP)with repeated fever.CASE SUMMARY A 55-year-old female was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia in the local hospital because of repeated fever and chest pain for two months.After the anti-infection treatment failed in the local hospital,the patient came to our hospital for further treatment.Enhanced computed tomography showed multiple patchy,nodular and strip-shaped high-density shadows in both lungs.A routine haematological examination was performed and showed abnormalities in CD19+B cells and CD4+T cells.Positive acid-fast bifurcating filaments and branching gram-positive rods were observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the patient under an oil microscope,which was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry as N.cyriacigeorgica.The patient’s condition quickly improved after taking 0.96 g compound sulfamethoxazole tablets three times a day.CONCLUSION The antibiotic treatment of Nocardia pneumonia is different from that of common CAP.Attention should be given to the pathogenic examination results of patients with recurrent fever.Nocardia pneumonia is an opportunistic infection.Patients with CD4+T-cell deficiency should be aware of Nocardia infection.

生物组织质谱成像方法的建立及其在微波辐射后大鼠海马组织的蛋白组分析中的应用

通过探讨影响质谱成像实验的主要因素,建立了优化的基于基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱的生物组织质谱成像方法。优化的实验条件为：基质为SA;V（乙腈）∶V（水）=1∶1为溶剂,基质浓度20g/L。质谱分析条件：线性正离子模式,激光能量范围为30%~50%,照射200次,采样点间距200μm。将本方法用于高功率微波辐射后大鼠海马的蛋白组分析,获得了正常和微波辐射后大鼠海马组织质谱图像。对照组每张切片获得5902张质谱图,320张组分质谱图像;模型组每张切片获得5993张质谱图,346张质谱图像。自编了数据分析软件计算Hits值分布,Hits值的高低与组分的分布以及量有关系。统计分析表明,差异分子199个,其中上调194个,下调5个。这些差异分子的发现对于明确微波辐射致伤效应和致伤机理的研究具有重要意义。

基质辅助激光解吸电离质谱用于生物组织的质谱成像应用进展

基质辅助激光解吸电离质谱(MALDIMS)用于分析组织切片已成为质谱学的一个新领域。质谱成像技术通过直接对组织切片表面的质谱扫描,可以快速直观地分析组织中的分子,如蛋白质、多肽、药物分子、代谢产物等及其空间分布信息。本工作综述了组织切片的质谱成像原理,方法学和相关应用。

应用超高分辨质谱成像技术研究脂类分子在小鼠肝组织中的分布

利用基质辅助激光解吸电离-傅里叶变换离子回旋共振质谱仪对磷脂类分子在小鼠肝组织中的分布进行了研究,建立了质谱成像技术检测小鼠肝组织中磷脂类分子分布的分析方法。以7g/Lα-腈基-4-羟基肉桂酸的50%甲醇溶液(含0.2%三氟乙酸)作为基质,采用正离子采集模式,准确鉴定了5类13种磷脂类分子,其分子量主要分布在700～900Da之间,且观察到它们在组织内分布呈现不均匀性。本研究表明,以超高分辨和超高精度的质谱仪开展组织成像研究,不仅可以探究脂类分子在组织中的分布,而且可以直接准确鉴定相关分子,真正实现分子水平上的组织成像。

基于基质辅助激光解吸-电离质谱的磷脂分析和成像的基质体系与制样方法

由于磷脂在神经传递和生物膜功能方面的重要作用,磷脂分析已成为目前脂质组学研究的热点,而基质辅助激光解吸-电离成像质谱(MALDI-IMS)是磷脂分析和成像的先进技术。针对磷脂特点,优化基质溶液组成并建立合适的基质制样与覆盖方法是最关键的环节。为了建立具有高真空稳定性(稳定存在2h以上)、耐高频率激光辐射、无基质峰干扰、分布均匀且不引起分析物位移、能全面解吸-电离不同结构与浓度的磷脂,并准确表征其空间分布情况的基质体系,不少研究者进行了大量的研究。本工作从基质类型变化出发,综述了近10年来MALDI-IMS用于生物组织磷脂分析和成像的基质体系及制样方法,并对其发展前景进行了展望。

应用磷酸化蛋白质组学方法初步研究喉癌相关基因LCRG1的功能

mRNA差异显示技术克隆的喉癌相关基因LCRG1,对不表达该基因的喉癌细胞系(Hep-2)的生长具有明显抑制作用.软件分析推测,LCRG1可能在细胞信号传导中发挥作用.为进一步地研究LCRG1的功能,应用RT-PCR和平板克隆形成实验证实,经多次传代的Hep-2/LCRG1细胞,仍表达LCRG1,且LCRG1具有显著的抑制细胞增殖的能力.抽提Hep-2/LCRG1和Hep-2/pcDNA3.1(+)细胞系总蛋白质,应用固相pH梯度(IPG)双向凝胶电泳(2DGE),结合抗酪氨酸磷酸化抗体的免疫印迹和基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF-MS),鉴定酪氨酸磷酸化的蛋白质.得到了分辨率较高、重复性较好的Hep-2/LCRG1和Hep-2/pcDNA3.1(+)细胞系的总蛋白质双向凝胶电泳图谱;结合免疫印迹反应、软件分析和质谱技术识别并鉴定了13个差异反应的酪氨酸磷酸化的蛋白质.这些蛋白质参与了细胞信号传导和细胞代谢等过程.推测LCRG1可能是通过调节这些蛋白质的酪氨酸磷酸化、去磷酸化状态,参与细胞增殖、代谢和凋亡等过程的调控,而发挥抑瘤作用.这为全面、真实地揭示LCRG1抑瘤作用的分子机理提供了新思路.