title: Quantitative Analysis of Total Plasma Homocysteine by LC-MS/MS.
abstract: Homocysteine is a nonessential, sulfur-containing amino acid involved in one-carbon (folate) metabolism. A number of inherited and acquired conditions cause increased accumulation of this metabolite in blood (homocysteinemia) and other biofluids. Homocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including recurrent thrombosis. Accurate measurement of total plasma homocysteine is an important element in the diagnostic evaluation of these disorders. While a number of different methods have been developed for this purpose, the focus of this unit will be on a specific technique utilizing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, which provides several advantages in terms of speed, sensitivity, and specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Decatur, Georgia.
authors.forename: Libin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: J Daniel
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sharer
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine
keywords: HPLC-MS/MS; cardiovascular disease; cobalamin; cystathionine β-synthase; folate; homocysteine; homocysteinemia/homocystinuria; homocystine; methionine synthase