Mass spectrometry imaging reveals new biological roles for choline esters and Tyrian purple precursors in muricid molluscs

Scientific Reports
David RuddKirsten Benkendorff

Abstract

Despite significant advances in chemical ecology, the biodistribution, temporal changes and ecological function of most marine secondary metabolites remain unknown. One such example is the association between choline esters and Tyrian purple precursors in muricid molluscs. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) on nano-structured surfaces has emerged as a sophisticated platform for spatial analysis of low molecular mass metabolites in heterogeneous tissues, ideal for low abundant secondary metabolites. Here we applied desorption-ionisation on porous silicon (DIOS) to examine in situ changes in biodistribution over the reproductive cycle. DIOS-MSI showed muscle-relaxing choline ester murexine to co-localise with tyrindoxyl sulfate in the biosynthetic hypobranchial glands. But during egg-laying, murexine was transferred to the capsule gland, and then to the egg capsules, where chemical ripening resulted in Tyrian purple formation. Murexine was found to tranquilise the larvae and may relax the reproductive tract. This study shows that DIOS-MSI is a powerful tool that can provide new insights into marine chemo-ecology.

References

Jun 10, 1976·Nature·H J MarthyA Scholl
Jul 20, 1990·Science·B M OliveraL J Cruz
Jan 1, 1996·Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology·M RoseghiniV Erspamer
Sep 5, 2002·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Céline ZatylnyJoël Henry
Jun 20, 2003·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Wayne P KelleyWilliam F Gilly
Jun 1, 1957·British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy·V ERSPAMER, A GLASSER
Mar 1, 1958·British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy·M J KEYL, V P WHITTAKER
Mar 1, 1952·British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy·P HEY
Sep 29, 2007·Nature Methods·Dale S CornettRichard M Caprioli
Nov 9, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·P T F WilliamsonA Watts
Feb 6, 2008·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·T Luke SimmonsWilliam H Gerwick
Apr 16, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Amy L LaneJulia Kubanek
Oct 22, 2009·Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM·Rachel D LoweHilton Kobus
Nov 17, 2009·Nature Chemical Biology·Yu-Liang YangPieter C Dorrestein
Nov 26, 2009·Natural Product Reports·Eduardo EsquenaziPieter C Dorrestein
Mar 2, 2010·Nature Chemical Biology·Johannes KroissAles Svatos
Aug 9, 2011·Nature Reviews. Microbiology·Jeramie D Watrous, Pieter C Dorrestein
Feb 21, 2013·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part D, Genomics & Proteomics·Patrick W LaffyCatherine A Abbott
Jul 31, 2013·Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction·L VaientiF Leone
Aug 2, 2013·Science Progress·Chris Cooksey
May 8, 2014·Natural Product Reports·Amina BouslimaniPieter C Dorrestein

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 9, 2016·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Roselyn Valles-ReginoKirsten Benkendorff
Apr 4, 2017·Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM·O J R GustafssonN H Voelcker
Sep 29, 2018·Natural Product Reports·Melany P PuglisiRyan Young
Jun 1, 2021·Frontiers in Pharmacology·Zhenjian LinEric W Schmidt

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
light microscopy
chip
chips
NMR
motility assay

Software Mentioned

FlexAnalysis
Axio Imaging
DIOS
MS
Masslynx
FlexImaging
FlexControl
LabView

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.