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Ceramide Analysis by Multiple Linked-Scan Mass Spectrometry Using a Tandem Quadrupole Instrument

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Mass Spectrometry-Based Lipidomics

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2306))

Abstract

Ceramides are a special class of sphingolipids and play a central role in sphingolipid metabolism, and have diverse structures. In this book chapter, tandem quadrupole mass spectrometric approaches applying multiple linked scannings including various constant neutral loss scan (NLS) and precursor ion scan (PIS), the unique applicable feature of a triple-stage quadrupole (TSQ) instrument for analysis of ceramides desorbed as [M−H]− and [M+Li]+ ions are described. These multiple dimensional tandem mass spectrometric approaches are fully adapted to the conventional shotgun lipidomics workflow with minimal or without prior chromatographic separation to profile ceramide molecules, and thus detection of a whole class of ceramide or various specific ceramide subclasses in crude lipid extract can be achieved. With addition of internal standard(s), semi-quantitation of ceramide in the lipid extract of biological origin is possible. Examples have shown promise in ceramide profiling of several whole lipid extracts from porcine brain, the model Dictyostelium Discoideum cells for cancer study, and skin.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIH grants P30DK056341 and R24GM136766 to Center of Mass Spectrometry Resource of Washington University School of Medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mass Spectrometry Resource, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Fong-Fu Hsu

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  1. Fong-Fu Hsu
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mass Spectrometry Resource Division of Endocrinology Metabolism, and Lipid Research Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Fong-Fu Hsu

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Hsu, FF. (2021). Ceramide Analysis by Multiple Linked-Scan Mass Spectrometry Using a Tandem Quadrupole Instrument. In: Hsu, FF. (eds) Mass Spectrometry-Based Lipidomics. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2306. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1410-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1410-5_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-1409-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-1410-5

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