title: Mass spectral imaging and profiling of neuropeptides at the organ and cellular domains.
abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) is a rapid and sensitive analytical method that is well suited for determining molecular weights of peptides and proteins from complex samples. MALDI-MS can be used to profile the peptides and proteins from single-cell and small tissue samples without the need for extensive sample preparation. Furthermore, the recently developed MALDI imaging technique enables mapping of the spatial distribution of signaling molecules in tissue samples. Several examples of signaling molecule analysis at the single-cell and single-organ levels using MALDI-MS technology are highlighted followed by an outlook of future directions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 777 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2222, USA.
authors.forename: Ruibing
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lingjun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002477:Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009420:Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides