Separating and Profiling Phosphatidylcholines and Triglycerides from Single Cellular Lipid Droplet by In-Tip Solvent Microextraction Mass Spectrometry

Anal Chem. 2019 Apr 2;91(7):4466-4471. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05122. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Abstract

The analysis of lipid droplets (LDs) by mass spectrometry at the single LD level is still an analytical challenge. In this work, we developed a novel technique termed in-tip solvent microextraction mass spectrometry for the separation and profiling of phosphatidylcholines and triglycerides within a single LD. This method has been successfully used to analyze LDs in mammalian cells and to compare the profiles of triglycerides and phosphatidylcholines in LDs induced at different conditions. Our method has the potential to be applied to such fields as fundamental lipid biology to further our understanding on the mechanisms of lipid production, lipid packaging, and their pathophysiological roles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lipid Droplets / chemistry*
  • Liquid Phase Microextraction / methods*
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Phosphatidylcholines / analysis*
  • Triglycerides / analysis*

Substances

  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Triglycerides