Over the last few years, technologies such as Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) have increasingly grown in potential as new tools in the plant sciences (1). In particular, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging using the power of high mass resolution time of flight (ToF) mass spectrometry can offer new information regarding the spatial distribution of specific molecules within biological tissues (2). Together with advances in other technologies such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), metabolites can be identified and quantified within specific cell types of plants and other organisms, and this can greatly expand fields ranging from proteomics and metabalomics, to plant pathogen interactions and chemical ecology, and even to natural product chemistry (3, 4). As an example, advances in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) has made it a valuable complementary technique to electrospray MS and MALDI MS to probe interactions between metals and plant biomolecules (5). Analysis of the distribution of beneficial metals such as copper, iron and zinc as well as toxic metals in biological tissues using MSI techniques such as laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) have also been increasingly utilized (6).
Other uses of MS techniques for the analysis of plant tissues also exist. For example, multiple rice studies have utilized MS-based proteomics techniques (7- 9). Rice, one of the major food crops, has been used as a model for all cereals and can be studied under normal or conditions of stress in order to examine the function of individual proteins (7). This information cannot be accurately predicted solely from sequencing data (8). In addition to establishing proteomes during plant growth & development, these techniques can be used to further elucidate the challenge of environmental factors, including disease, and for studying genetic relationships (9). Similarly, proteomics studies are used to investigate proteins involved in photosynthesis, bioflavonoid biosynthesis, and the production of other bioactive compounds such as alkannins and shikonins, and others found inTraditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for drug discovery (10-13). MS technologies examine other areas of plant science, including fruit ripening, plant pathogen interactions, and legume symbiosis (14-17). Finally, MS based proteomics can be used to identify and characterize allergens, which can cause a number of clinical manifestations ranging from mild to life-threatening systemic conditions. These new technologies can help prevent allergens from being introduced into foods (18, 19). In conclusion, mass spectral identification can assist in generating an enhanced collection of data for many aspects of plant cell biology.
References
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- Ahmad, Faheem; Babalola, Olubukola O. Application of Mass Spectrometry as Rapid Detection Tool in Plant Nematology. APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY REVIEWS Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Pages: 1-10 Published: JAN 2 2014.
- Lee, Jeonghoon; Lei, Zhentian; Watsonand, Bonnie S.; et al. Sub-cellular proteomics of Medicago truncatula. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE Volume: 4 Article Number: 112 Published: APR 30 2013.
- Nakamura, Rika; Teshima, Reiko. Proteomics-based allergen analysis in plants. JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS Volume: 93 Special Issue: SI Pages: 40-49 Published: NOV 20 2013.
- Harrer, Andrea; Egger, Matthias; Gadermaier, Gabriele; et al. Characterization of plant food allergens: An overview on physicochemical and immunological techniques. MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Pages: 93-112 Published: JAN 2010.
