Name: quantitative proteomics using reductive dimethylation for stable isotope labeling
Uploaded: 2014-07-01T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantitative Proteomics Using Reductive Dimethylation for Stable Isotope Labeling at JoVE.com

We thank SP Gygi and GM Church for help and guidance. This work was supported by a CNRS chaire d'excellence to ACT.

NOTE: This method was previously described12.
1. Protein Isolation
Prepare 1 mg of cellular protein by lysing cells, preferably by physical methods such as French press, bead beating, or sonication. Avoid lysozyme-mediated cell lysis because the enzyme will confound mass spectrometry measurements.
2. TCA Precipitation of Proteins
Add 1 volume trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to 4 volumes protein and chill on i...

<ol>
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Several points make stable isotope labeling of peptides using reductive dimethylation (ReDi labeling) an attractive method for quantitative proteomics: inexpensive labeling reagents (reagents cost less than $1 per sample), fast reaction rate (~10 min), absence of side products, high reproducibility (Figures&#160;3, 4), stable reaction products, ability to use any protease, and high ionization efficiency of labeled peptides. Chemical labeling by ReDi is also advantageous relative to metabolic labeling sin...

Measuring concentration differences of many proteins between complex samples is a central challenge in proteomics. Increasingly, this is being done by labeling proteins in each sample with different isotopic tags, combining the samples, and using mass spectrometry to quantify concentration differences. Several methods exist for stable isotopic labeling of proteins and peptides. 15N labeling1 and SILAC2 introduce isotopic labels metabolically in vivo, whereas iCAT3, iTRAQ4, and reduction dimethylation5 add stable isotope tags after protein extraction and digestion. Among these methods, reductive dimethylation (ReDi labeling) is gaining popularity as an inexpensive, reproducible method to quantify protein concentration differences in nearly any type of sample.
ReDi labeling involves reacting peptides with formaldehyde to form a Schiff base, which is then reduced by cyanoborohydride. This reaction dimethylates free amino groups on N-termini and lysine side chains and monomethylates N-terminal prolines. The protocol described here methylates peptides in sample 1 with a &#8220;light&#8221; label using reagents with hydrogen atoms in their natural isotopic distribution and sample 2 with a &#8220;heavy&#8221; label using deuterated formaldehyde and cyanoborohydride (Figure&#160;1). Each dimethylated amino group on a peptide results in a mass difference of 6.0377 Da between light and heavy forms, which is employed to distinguish between the two forms using a mass spectrometer. Specifically, relative peptide abundances are quantified as the ratio of MS1 extracted ion chromatogram areas (MS1 peak area ratio) of light and heavy version for each peptide ion pair. The relative abundance of a protein is calculated as the median MS1 peak area ratio among all peptides in the protein. In this report, we describe a robust protocol for conducting ReDi labeling experiments by LC-MS/MS that includes reversed-phase peptide solid-phase extraction, on-column ReDi labeling, peptide fractionation by basic pH reversed phase (BPRP) chromatography, and purification of peptide mixtures using StageTips (Figure&#160;2). We discuss advantages and limitations of using ReDi labeling for quantitative proteomics.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="973">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:377px;">trichloroacetic acid</td>
			<td style="width:141px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">T9159</td>
			<td style="width:319px;">protein precipitation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">acetone</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">650501</td>
			<td>protein precipitation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">Sodium dodecyl sulfate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">71736</td>
			<td>denature, reduce protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">sodium hydroxide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">S8045</td>
			<td>denature, reduce protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">DL-Dithiothreitol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">43816</td>
			<td>denature, reduce, alkylate protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">protease Inhibitor Complete Mini Cocktail</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>4693124001</td>
			<td>denature, reduce protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">iodoacetamide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>I6125</td>
			<td>alkylate protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">H7523</td>
			<td>resuspend, extract, label protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">calcium chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">C5670</td>
			<td>resuspend protein</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:377px;">Lysyl Endoprotease</td>
			<td>Wako Chemicals</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">129-02541</td>
			<td>protein digestion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">sequencing grade trypsin</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">V5111</td>
			<td>protein digestion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">acetic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">320099</td>
			<td>protein digestion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">trifluoroacetic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>299537</td>
			<td>Reversed-phase peptide extraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">tC18 Sep-Pak C18 cartridges</td>
			<td>Waters</td>
			<td>WAT054960</td>
			<td>Reversed-phase peptide extraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">extraction manifold</td>
			<td>Waters</td>
			<td>WAT200609</td>
			<td>Reversed-phase peptide extraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">acetonitrile</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">14261</td>
			<td>various</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">formaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>252549</td>
			<td>&#8220;light&#8221; peptide labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">cyanoborohydride</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">71435</td>
			<td>&#8220;light&#8221; peptide labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">deuterated formaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>492620</td>
			<td>&#8220;heavy&#8221; peptide labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">sodium cyanoborodeuteride</td>
			<td>CDN isotopes</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">D-1797</td>
			<td>&#8220;heavy&#8221; peptide labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">MES</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M3671</td>
			<td>peptide labeling</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">C18-HPLC column (4.6 x 250 mm, 5 &#181;m particle size)</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">770450-902</td>
			<td>basic pH reversed-phase chromatography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">formic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">399388</td>
			<td>various</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">C18 Empore Disks</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">14-386-3&#160;</td>
			<td>STAGE tips</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;">methanol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:136px;">494437</td>
			<td>STAGE tips</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

quantitative proteomics using reductive dimethylation for stable isotope labeling

Stable isotope labeling of peptides by reductive dimethylation (ReDi labeling) is a method to accurately quantify protein expression differences between samples using mass spectrometry. ReDi labeling is performed using either regular (light) or deuterated (heavy) forms of formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride to add two methyl groups to each free amine. Here we demonstrate a robust protocol for ReDi labeling and quantitative comparison of complex protein mixtures. Protein samples for comparison are digested into peptides, labeled to carry either light or heavy methyl tags, mixed, and co-analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Relative protein abundances are quantified by comparing the ion chromatogram peak areas of heavy and light labeled versions of the constituent peptide extracted from the full MS spectra. The method described here includes sample preparation by reversed-phase solid phase extraction, on-column ReDi labeling of peptides, peptide fractionation by basic pH reversed-phase (BPRP) chromatography, and StageTip peptide purification. We discuss advantages and limitations of ReDi labeling with respect to other methods for stable isotope incorporation. We highlight novel applications using ReDi labeling as a fast, inexpensive, and accurate method to compare protein abundances in nearly any type of sample.

We evaluated the accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of ReDi labeling using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Clostridium phytofermentans whole cell lysates. We first quantified the ReDi labeling efficiency of a mix of C. phytofermentans protein lysates from cellulose (heavy labeled, H) and glucose (light label, L) cultures. When filtered to a 1% peptide false discovery rate, this sample contained 11,194 unique peptide sequences with a 98% ReDi labeling efficiency. Unfractionated S. cerevis...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Quantitative Proteomics Using Reductive Dimethylation for Stable Isotope Labeling at JoVE.com

Quantitative Proteomics Using Reductive Dimethylation for Stable Isotope Labeling

Stable isotope labeling of peptides by reductive dimethylation (ReDi labeling) is a rapid, inexpensive strategy for accurate mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics. Here we demonstrate a robust method for preparation and analysis of protein mixtures using the ReDi approach that can be applied to nearly any sample type.

Stable isotope labeling of peptides by reductive dimethylation (ReDi labeling) is a method to accurately quantify protein expression differences between ...

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Large Scale Non-targeted Metabolomic Profiling of Serum by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS)

Non-targeted metabolite profiling by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) is a powerful technique to investigate metabolism. The approach offers an unbiased and in-depth analysis that can enable the development of diagnostic tests, novel therapies, and further our understanding of disease processes. The inherent chemical diversity of the metabolome creates significant analytical challenges and there is no single experimental approach that can detect all metabolites. Additionally, the biological variation in individual metabolism and the dependence of metabolism on environmental factors necessitates large sample numbers to achieve the appropriate statistical power required for meaningful biological interpretation. To address these challenges, this tutorial outlines an analytical workflow for large scale non-targeted metabolite profiling of serum by UPLC-MS. The procedure includes guidelines for sample organization and preparation, data acquisition, quality control, and metabolite identification and will enable reliable acquisition of data for large experiments and provide a starting point for laboratories new to non-targeted metabolite profiling by UPLC-MS.

Large Scale Non-targeted Metabolomic Profiling of Serum by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry UPLC-MS

Non-targeted metabolite profiling by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) is a powerful technique to investigate metabolism. This article outlines a typical workflow utilized for non-targeted metabolite profiling of serum including sample organization and preparation, data acquisition, data analysis, quality control, and metabolite identification.

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Improved In-gel Reductive &#946;-Elimination for Comprehensive O-linked and Sulfo-glycomics by Mass Spectrometry

Separation of proteins by SDS-PAGE followed by in-gel proteolytic digestion of resolved protein bands has produced high-resolution proteomic analysis of biological samples. Similar approaches, that would allow in-depth analysis of the glycans carried by glycoproteins resolved by SDS-PAGE, require special considerations in order to maximize recovery and sensitivity when using mass spectrometry (MS) as the detection method. A major hurdle to be overcome in achieving high-quality data is the removal of gel-derived contaminants that interfere with MS analysis. The sample workflow presented here is robust, efficient, and eliminates the need for in-line HPLC clean-up prior to MS. Gel pieces containing target proteins are washed in acetonitrile, water, and ethyl acetate to remove contaminants, including polymeric acrylamide fragments. O-linked glycans are released from target proteins by in-gel reductive &#946;-elimination and recovered through robust, simple clean-up procedures. An advantage of this workflow is that it improves sensitivity for detecting and characterizing sulfated glycans. These procedures produce an efficient separation of sulfated permethylated glycans from non-sulfated (sialylated and neutral) permethylated glycans by a rapid phase-partition prior to MS analysis, and thereby enhance glycomic and sulfoglycomic analyses of glycoproteins resolved by SDS-PAGE.

Improved In-gel Reductive &amp;#946;-Elimination for Comprehensive O-linked and Sulfo-glycomics by Mass Spectrometry

In order to comprehensively explore the diversity of O-linked glycans, a new procedure for in-gel reductive &#946;-elimination, combined with permethylation and a rapid phase-partition method, is applied to the analysis of O-linked glycans directly released from glycoproteins resolved by SDS-PAGE and amenable to subsequent glycomic analysis by mass spectrometry.

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Quantitative and Qualitative Examination of Particle-particle Interactions Using Colloidal Probe Nanoscopy

Colloidal Probe Nanoscopy (CPN), the study of the nano-scale interactive forces between a specifically prepared colloidal probe and any chosen substrate using the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), can provide key insights into physical interactions present within colloidal systems. Colloidal systems are widely existent in several applications including, pharmaceuticals, foods, paints, paper, soil and minerals, detergents, printing and much more.1-3 Furthermore, colloids can exist in many states such as emulsions, foams and suspensions. Using colloidal probe nanoscopy one can obtain key information on the adhesive properties, binding energies and even gain insight into the physical stability and coagulation kinetics of the colloids present within. Additionally, colloidal probe nanoscopy can be used with biological cells to aid in drug discovery and formulation development. In this paper we describe a method for conducting colloidal probe nanoscopy, discuss key factors that are important to consider during the measurement, and show that both quantitative and qualitative data that can be obtained from such measurements.

Colloidal probe nanoscopy can be used within a variety of fields to gain insight into the physical stability and coagulation kinetics of colloidal systems and aid in drug discovery and formulation sciences using biological systems. The method described within provides a quantitative and qualitative means to study such systems.

Colloidal Probe Nanoscopy (CPN), the study of the nano-scale interactive forces between a specifically prepared colloidal probe and any chosen substrate ...

A Quantitative Glycomics and Proteomics Combined Purification Strategy

There is a growing desire in the biological and clinical sciences to integrate and correlate multiple classes of biomolecules to unravel biology, define pathways, improve treatment, understand disease, and aid biomarker discovery. N-linked glycosylation is one of the most important and robust post-translational modifications on proteins and regulates critical cell functions such as signaling, adhesion, and enzymatic function. Analytical techniques to purify and analyze N-glycans have remained relatively static over the last decade. While accurate and effective, they commonly require significant expertise and resources. Though some high-throughput purification schemes have been developed, they have yet to find widespread adoption and often rely on the enrichment of glycopeptides. One promising method, developed by Thomas-Oates et al., filter aided N-glycan separation (FANGS), was qualitatively demonstrated on tissues. Herein, we adapted FANGS to plasma and coupled it to the individuality normalization when labeling with glycan hydrazide tags strategy in order to achieve accurate relative quantification by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and enhanced electrospray ionization. Furthermore, we designed new functionality to the protocol by achieving tandem, shotgun proteomics and glycosylation site analysis on hen plasma. We showed that N-glycans purified on filter and derivatized by hydrophobic hydrazide tags were comparable in terms of abundance and class to those by solid phase extraction (SPE); the latter is considered a gold standard in the field. Importantly, the variability in the two protocols was not statistically different. Proteomic data that was collected in-line with glycomic data had the same depth compared to a standard trypsin digest. Peptide deamidation is minimized in the protocol, limiting non-specific deamidation detected at glycosylation motifs. This allowed for direct glycosylation site analysis, though the protocol can accommodate 18O site labeling as well. Overall, we demonstrated a new in-line high-throughput, unbiased, filter based protocol for quantitative glycomics and proteomics analysis.

A high-throughput protocol was developed for combined proteomics and glycomics purification and LC-MS/MS quantification in plasma. Deamidation analysis of N-linked glycosylation motifs was specific to deglycosylated sites. Accurate quantitation of N-glycans was achieved by coupling filter aided N-glycan separation to the individuality normalization when labeling with glycan hydrazide tags strategy.

There is a growing desire in the biological and clinical sciences to integrate and correlate multiple classes of biomolecules to unravel biology, define ...

Standards for Quantitative Metalloproteomic Analysis Using Size Exclusion ICP-MS

Metals are essential for protein function as cofactors to catalyze chemical reactions. Disruption of metal homeostasis is implicated in a number of diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, but the exact role these metals play is yet to be fully elucidated. Identification of metalloproteins encounters many challenges and difficulties. Here we report an approach that allows metalloproteins in complex samples to be quantified. This is achieved using size exclusion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (SEC-ICP-MS). Using six known metalloproteins, the size exclusion column can be calibrated and the respective trace elements (iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, iodine) can be used for quantification. SEC-ICP-MS traces of human brain and plasma are presented. The use of these metalloprotein standards provides the means to quantitatively compare metalloprotein abundances between biological samples. This technique is poised to help shed light on the role of metalloproteins in neurodegenerative disease as well as other diseases where imbalances in trace elements are implicated.

Size exclusion chromatography hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a powerful tool to measure changes in the abundance of metalloproteins directly from biological samples. Here we describe a set of metalloprotein standards used to estimate molecular mass and the amount of metal associated with unknown proteins.

Metals are essential for protein function as cofactors to catalyze chemical reactions. Disruption of metal homeostasis is implicated in a number of ...

Peptide and Protein Quantification Using Automated Immuno-MALDI (iMALDI)

Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most commonly used technologies for quantifying proteins in complex samples, with excellent assay specificity as a result of the direct detection of the mass-to-charge ratio of each target molecule. However, MS-based proteomics, like most other analytical techniques, has a bias towards measuring high-abundance analytes, so it is challenging to achieve detection limits of low ng/mL or pg/mL in complex samples, and this is the concentration range for many disease-relevant proteins in biofluids such as human plasma. To assist in the detection of low-abundance analytes, immuno-enrichment has been integrated into the assay to concentrate and purify the analyte before MS measurement, significantly improving assay sensitivity. In this work, the immuno- Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (iMALDI) technology is presented for the quantification of proteins and peptides in biofluids, based on immuno-enrichment on beads, followed by MALDI-MS measurement without prior elution. The anti-peptide antibodies are functionalized on magnetic beads, and incubated with samples. After washing, the beads are directly transferred onto a MALDI target plate, and the signals are measured by a MALDI-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) instrument after the matrix solution has been applied to the beads. The sample preparation procedure is simplified compared to other immuno-MS assays, and the MALDI measurement is fast. The whole sample preparation is automated with a liquid handling system, with improved assay reproducibility and higher throughput. In this article, the iMALDI assay is used for determining the peptide angiotensin I (Ang I) concentration in plasma, which is used clinically as readout of plasma renin activity for the screening of primary aldosteronism (PA).

Peptide and Protein Quantification Using Automated Immuno-MALDI iMALDI

A protocol for the protein quantification in complex biological fluids using automated immuno-MALDI (iMALDI) technology is presented.

Mass spectrometry (MS) is one of the most commonly used technologies for quantifying proteins in complex samples, with excellent assay specificity as a ...

Rapid Nanoprobe Signal Enhancement by In Situ Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis

The use of nanoprobes such as gold, silver, silica or iron-oxide nanoparticles as detection reagents in bioanalytical assays can enable high sensitivity and convenient colorimetric readout. However, high densities of nanoparticles are typically needed for detection. The available synthesis-based enhancement protocols are either limited to gold and silver nanoparticles or rely on precise enzymatic control and optimization. Here, we present a protocol to enhance the colorimetric readout of gold, silver, silica, and iron oxide nanoprobes. It was observed that the colorimetric signal can be improved by up to a 10000-fold factor. The basis for such signal enhancement strategies is the chemical reduction of Au3+ to Au0. There are several chemical reactions that enable the reduction of Au3+ to Au0. In the protocol, Good&#39;s buffers and H2O2 are used and it is possible to favor the deposition of Au0 onto the surface of existing nanoprobes, in detriment of the formation of new gold nanoparticles. The protocol consists of the incubation of the microarray with a solution consisting of chloroauric acid and H2O2 in 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid pH 6 buffer following the nanoprobe-based detection assay. The enhancement solution can be applied to paper and glass-based sensors. Moreover, it can be used in commercially available immunoassays as demonstrated by the application of the method to a commercial allergen microarray. The signal development requires less than 5 min of incubation with the enhancement solution and the readout can be assessed by naked eye or low-end image acquisition devices such as a table-top scanner or a digital camera.

Rapid Nanoprobe Signal Enhancement by In Situ Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis

In this work, a protocol for signal enhancement of nanoprobe-based biosensing is presented. The protocol is based on the reduction of chloroauric acid onto the surface of existing nanoprobes that consist of gold, silver, silica or iron-oxide nanoparticles.

The use of nanoprobes such as gold, silver, silica or iron-oxide nanoparticles as detection reagents in bioanalytical assays can enable high sensitivity ...

Large-scale Top-down Proteomics Using Capillary Zone Electrophoresis Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS/MS) has been recognized as a useful tool for top-down proteomics that aims to characterize proteoforms in complex proteomes. However, the application of CZE-MS/MS for large-scale top-down proteomics has been impeded by the low sample-loading capacity and narrow separation window of CZE. Here, a protocol is described using CZE-MS/MS with a microliter-scale sample-loading volume and a 90-min separation window for large-scale top-down proteomics. The CZE-MS/MS platform is based on a linear polyacrylamide (LPA)-coated separation capillary with extremely low electroosmotic flow, a dynamic pH-junction-based online sample concentration method with a high efficiency for protein stacking, an electro-kinetically pumped sheath flow CE-MS interface with extremely high sensitivity, and an ion trap mass spectrometer with high mass resolution and scan speed. The platform can be used for the high-resolution characterization of simple intact protein samples and the large-scale characterization of proteoforms in various complex proteomes. As an example, a highly efficient separation of a standard protein mixture and a highly sensitive detection of many impurities using the platform is demonstrated. As another example, this platform can produce over 500 proteoform and 190 protein identifications from an Escherichia coli proteome in a single CZE-MS/MS run.

A detailed protocol is described for the separation, identification, and characterization of proteoforms in protein samples using capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS/MS). The protocol can be used for the high-resolution characterization of proteoforms in simple protein samples and the large-scale identification of proteoforms in complex proteome samples.

Capillary zone electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (CZE-ESI-MS/MS) has been recognized as a useful tool for top-down ...

Stable Aqueous Suspensions of Manganese Ferrite Clusters with Tunable Nanoscale Dimension and Composition

Manganese ferrite clusters (MFCs) are spherical assemblies of tens to hundreds of primary nanocrystals whose magnetic properties are valuable in diverse applications. Here we describe how to form these materials in a hydrothermal process that permits the independent control of product cluster size (from 30 to 120 nm) and manganese content of the resulting material. Parameters such as the total amount of water added to the alcoholic reaction media and the ratio of manganese to iron precursor are important factors in achieving multiple types of MFC nanoscale products. A fast purification method uses magnetic separation to recover the materials making production of grams of magnetic nanomaterials quite efficient. We overcome the challenge of magnetic nanomaterial aggregation by applying highly charged sulfonate polymers to the surface of these nanomaterials yielding colloidally stable MFCs that remain non-aggregating even in highly saline environments. These non-aggregating, uniform, and tunable materials are excellent prospective materials for biomedical and environmental applications.

We report a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of manganese ferrite clusters (MFCs) that offers independent control over material dimension and composition. Magnetic separation allows rapid purification while surface functionalization using sulfonated polymers ensures the materials are non-aggregating in biologically relevant medium. The resulting products are well positioned for biomedical applications.

Manganese ferrite clusters (MFCs) are spherical assemblies of tens to hundreds of primary nanocrystals whose magnetic properties are valuable in diverse ...

Primary Organ Identification in Medicinal Plants Using  &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C&lt;sub&gt;6&lt;/sub&gt;&amp;#45;Glucose Labeling 

13C6&#45;Glucose Labeling Associated with LC&#45;MS&#58; Identification of Plant Primary Organs in Secondary Metabolite Synthesis

This paper presents a novel and efficient method for certifying primary organs involved in secondary metabolite synthesis. As the most important secondary metabolite in Parispolyphylla var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand. -Mzt. (PPY), Paris saponin (PS) has a variety of pharmacological activities and PPY is in increasing demand. This study established leaf, rhizome, and stem-vascular-bundle 13C6-Glucose feeding and non-feeding four treatments to precisely certify the primary organs involved in Paris saponins VII (PS VII) synthesis. By combining liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the 13C/12C ratios of leaf, rhizome, stem, and root in different treatments were quickly and accurately calculated, and four types of PS isotopic ion peak(M&#8722;) ratios were found: (M+1) &#8722;/M&#8722;, (M+2) &#8722;/M&#8722;, (M+3) &#8722;/M&#8722; and (M+4) &#8722;/M&#8722;. The results showed that the ratio of 13C/12C in the rhizomes of the stem-vascular-bundle and rhizome feeding treatments was significantly higher than that in the non-feeding treatment. Compared to the non-feeding treatment, the ratio of PS VII molecules (M+2) &#8722;/M&#8722; in the leaves increased significantly under leaf and stem-vascular-bundle feeding treatments. Simultaneously, compared to the non-feeding treatment, the ratio of PS VII molecules (M+2) &#8722;/M&#8722; in the leaves under rhizome treatment showed no significant difference. Furthermore, the ratio of PS VII molecules (M+2) &#8722;/M&#8722; in the stem, root, and rhizome showed no differences among the four treatments. Compared to the non-feeding treatment, the ratio of the Paris saponin II (PS II) molecule (M+2) &#8722;/M&#8722; in leaves under leaf feeding treatment showed no significant difference, and the (M+3) &#8722;/M&#8722; ratio of PS II molecules in leaves under leaf feeding treatment were lower. The data confirmed that the primary organ for the synthesizing of PS VII is the leaves. It lays the foundation for future identification of the primary organs and pathways involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants.

Author Spotlight: Plant Primary Organs Profiling Using &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C&lt;sub&gt;6&lt;/sub&gt;&amp;#45;Glucose Labeling and LC&amp;#45;MS

The developed method of 13C6-Glucose labeling combined with liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry is versatile and lays the foundation for future studies on the primary organs and pathways involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, as well as the comprehensive utilization of these secondary metabolites.

This paper presents a novel and efficient method for certifying primary organs involved in secondary metabolite synthesis. As the most important secondary ...