Spatial Analyses of Specialized Metabolites: The Key to Studying Function in Hosts

Abstract

Microbial communities contribute to a wide variety of biological functions in hosts and have the ability to specifically influence the health of those organisms through production of specialized metabolites. However, the structures or molecular mechanisms related to health or disease in host-microbe interactions represent a knowledge gap.

Biofilm Inhibitor Taurolithocholic Acid Alters Colony Morphology, Specialized Metabolism, and Virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

“…We employed matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight IMS (MALDI-TOF IMS) because it provides a robust, untargeted analysis of the specialized metabolites produced by P. aeruginosa in situ. 31,32 P. aeruginosa colonies were grown on thin agar (2−3 mm) with the vehicle or 250 μM TLCA for 48 h. The colonies and their respective agar controls were then prepared for IMS analysis. Twelve known specialized metabolites were identified and visualized from P. aeruginosa colonies (Figure 2).…”

Coproporphyrin III Produced by the Bacterium Glutamicibacter arilaitensis Binds Zinc and Is Upregulated by Fungi in Cheese Rinds

“…12 were grown in close proximity, we rapidly identified mass-to-charge ( m/z ) ratios of interest that could potentially represent compounds associated with this interaction. Retaining the spatial organization of microbial cultures also provides context for molecular production (i.e., excreted versus colony-associated molecules) that can be lost when extractions are performed ( 21 ).…”

Optimization of a minimal sample preparation protocol for imaging mass spectrometry of unsectioned juvenile invertebrates

“…The microbial colonies are housed inside the light organ, which measures a mere 500 μm across and sits under the ink sac inside the mantle cavity that covers the dorsal half of the body . The early, specific microbial colonization factors in this symbiosis have remained elusive and, given the small size of the organ, would be a model subject for imaging in situ pre‐ and post‐colonization . Because the bacteria exist only in a small organ, disturbing that organ may result in loss of material or signal, which motivated the development of an approach where the light organ is not disrupted.…”