Reshaping Lipid Biochemistry by Pushing Barriers in Structural Lipidomics

Abstract

Lipidomics is a rapidly growing field with numerous examples showing the importance of lipid molecules throughout biology. It has also shed light onto the vast and complex functions performed by many lipids that possess an immense diversity in molecular structures. Mass spectrometry (MS) is the tool of choice for analyzing lipids and has been the key catalyst driving the field forward. However, MS does not yet permit true molecular lipidomics wherein the identification and quantification of lipids having defined molecular structures can be routinely achieved. Here we describe recent advances in MS‐based lipidomics that allow access to higher levels of molecular information in lipidomics experiments. These advances will form a key piece of the puzzle as the field moves towards systems characterization of lipids at the molecular level.

Update on LIPID MAPS classification, nomenclature, and shorthand notation for MS-derived lipid structures

“…Lipids have become increasingly recognized as the central metabolites affecting human physiology and pathophysiology, and LIPID MAPS has recently expanded its tools, resources, data, and training as a free resource dedicated to serving the lipid research community ( 1 ). Following development of the LIPID MAPS nomenclature, classification, and structural representation system ( 2 , 3 ), an initial shorthand nomenclature was proposed ( 4 ), which included a structural hierarchy as shown by others as well ( 5 , 6 ). These were the first attempts to provide rules for reporting mass spectrometric data dependent on the power for structural resolution of lipids by the instrumental set-ups in use at that time.…”

Lipidomics of the brain, retina, and biofluids: from the biological landscape to potential clinical application in schizophrenia

“…Thus, a standard is urgently needed. Fortunately, an effort has been initiated by Lipidomics Standards Initiative (LSI) to facilitate the standardization of lipidomics and to establish standards in all aspects of lipidomics spanning lipid analysis, pre-analytics, lipid extraction methods, MS, analysis of data, quality controls, and minimal reporting 61 .…”

Imaging Isomers on a Biological Surface: A Review

“…42) Standard low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) mass spectrometry tools can provide information at the rst three levels. However, CID o en does not reveal the more subtle structural characteristics such as sn-position and double bond position, 43,44) although it has been shown that information on the sn-position can also be achieved with CID for some lipid classes under the right conditions. 45) Recently, new approaches have been developed to tackle these limitations and allow more complete lipid structure determination, including ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD), Paternò-Büchi (PB) reactions, ozone-induced dissociation (OzID), charge-remote fragmentation (CRF), high-eld asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) and meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) epoxidation.…”