A group at Yokohama City University succeeded in "single-cell native mass spectrometry" of only one red blood cell for the first time in the world.This was a graduation research led by Mr. Waka Sakamoto (currently a 4st year doctoral student), a 1th year student in the Faculty of Science, Faculty of International Science and Technology.

 In order to analyze proteins as they are, "native mass spectrometry" is used to measure the mass of proteins by ionizing them while keeping the structures important for function as undenatured as possible.In general mass spectrometry, an acid or an organic solvent is added to adjust the conditions for easy ionization to increase the sensitivity, but in native mass spectrometry, a sample is prepared as a neutral aqueous solution even if the sensitivity is sacrificed to some extent.Normally, proteins collected by grinding a large number of cells are purified and used in experiments, but if the mass of a functioning protein can be analyzed "cell by cell", it will be possible to compare cells in various states one by one. Therefore, in this study, we tried to acquire data by using only one red blood cell as it is for native mass spectrometry.

 The research group refers to the experimental method developed in the previous research, which is used for comprehensive analysis of small compounds with a molecular weight of several hundreds, and under a microscope, the sampling method of red blood cells, reagents to be added for measurement, conditions, etc. Continued scrutiny.As a result, by optimizing various conditions, we succeeded in sampling 30, 10 and finally 1 erythrocyte with good reproducibility and raw hemoglobin and detecting it by native mass spectrometry. bottom.The experimental procedure is to quickly inhale one red blood cell into an extra-fine glass tube, add a small amount of an aqueous solution of ammonium acetate that promotes ionization without denaturing proteins, and then observe hemoglobin ions by native mass spectrometry. It is said that the big deciding factor for success is to hold down the points and proceed wisely.

 Mass spectrometry of "native", that is, "one cell" in the natural state, makes it possible to more accurately grasp and compare the state of proteins in each living cell, and for the development of life science research. It is expected to make a great contribution.

Paper information:[Analytical Chemistry] Single cell native mass spectrometry of human erythrocytes

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