Exploiting High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Targeted Metabolite Quantification and 13C-Labeling Metabolism Analysis.

Abstract

Quantification of targeted metabolites, especially trace metabolites and structural isomers, in complex biological materials is an ongoing challenge for metabolomics. In this chapter, we summarize high-resolution mass spectrometry-based approaches mainly used for targeted metabolite and metabolomics analysis, and then introduce an MS1/MS2-combined PRM workflow for quantification of central carbon metabolism intermediates, amino acids, and shikimate pathway-related metabolites. Major steps in the workflow, including cell culture, metabolite extraction, LC-MS analysis and data processing, are described. Furthermore, we adapt this new approach to a dynamic 13C-labeling experiment and demonstrate its unique advantage in capturing and correcting isotopomer labeling curves to facilitate nonstationary 13C-labeling metabolism analysis.