Imaging by Elemental and Molecular Mass Spectrometry Reveals the Uptake of an Arsenolipid in the Brain of Drosophila melanogaster.
Arsenic-containing lipids (arsenolipids) are natural products of marine organisms such as fish, invertebrates, and algae, many of which are important seafoods. A major group of arsenolipids, namely, the arsenic-containing hydrocarbons (AsHC), have recently been shown to be cytotoxic to human liver and bladder cells, a result that has stimulated interest in the chemistry and toxicology of these compounds. In this study, elemental laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) and molecular matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-)MS were used to image and quantify the uptake of an AsHC in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Using these two complementary methods, both an enrichment of arsenic and the presence of the AsHC in the brain were revealed, indicating that the intact arsenolipid had crossed the blood-brain barrier. Simultaneous acquisition of quantitative elemental concentrations and molecular distributions could allow new insight into organ-specific enrichment and possible transportation processes of arsenic-containing bioactive compounds in living organisms.
Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster , Corrensstrasse 30, 48149 Münster, Germany.|NRW Graduate School of Chemistry, University of Münster , 48149 Münster, Germany.
Ann-Christin
AC
Niehoff
Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster , Pottkamp 2, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Jacqueline
J
Schulz
Institute for Hygiene, University of Münster , Robert-Koch-Strasse 41, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Jens
J
Soltwisch
NRW Graduate School of Chemistry, University of Münster , 48149 Münster, Germany.|Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam , Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany.
Sören
S
Meyer
Institute for Hygiene, University of Münster , Robert-Koch-Strasse 41, 48149 Münster, Germany.|Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Münster Medical School , Domagkstrasse 3, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Hans
H
Kettling
Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster , Corrensstrasse 30, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Michael
M
Sperling
Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Münster , Pottkamp 2, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Astrid
A
Jeibmann
Institute for Hygiene, University of Münster , Robert-Koch-Strasse 41, 48149 Münster, Germany.|Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), Münster Medical School , Domagkstrasse 3, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Klaus
K
Dreisewerd
Institute of Chemistry-Analytical Chemistry, University of Graz , Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Kevin A
KA
Francesconi
Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam , Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558 Nuthetal, Germany.
Tanja
T
Schwerdtle
Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster , Corrensstrasse 30, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Uwe
U
Karst
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D057054:Molecular Imaging; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
D008055:Lipids; D005780:Gelatin; D001151:Arsenic