title: Single-cell MALDI: a new tool for direct peptide profiling.
abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is a rapid and sensitive analytical approach that is well suited for obtaining molecular weights of peptides and proteins from complex samples. MALDI-MS can profile the peptides and proteins from single-cell and small tissue samples without the need for extensive sample preparation, except for the cell isolation and matrix application. Strategies for peptide identification and characterization of post-translational modifications are presented. Furthermore, several recent enhancements in MALDI-MS technology, including in situ peptide sequencing as well as the direct spatial mapping of peptides in cells and tissues are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Beckman Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Garden
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sweedler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein / Q000379:methods; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides