Metabolomics and lipidomics in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> using a single-sample preparation
Marte Molenaars, Bauke V. Schomakers, Hyung L. Elfrink, Arwen W. Gao, Martin A. T. Vervaart, Mia L. Pras‐Raves, Angela C. M. Luyf, Reuben L. Smith, Mark G. Sterken, Jan E. Kammenga, Antoine H. C. van Kampen, Georges E. Janssens, Frédéric M. Vaz, Michel van Weeghel, Riekelt H. Houtkooper
Abstract
Comprehensive metabolomic and lipidomic mass spectrometry methods are in increasing demand; for instance, in research related to nutrition and aging. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a key model organism in these fields, owing to the large repository of available C. elegans mutants and their convenient natural lifespan. Here, we describe a robust and sensitive analytical method for the semi-quantitative analysis of >100 polar (metabolomics) and >1000 apolar (lipidomics) metabolites in C. elegans, using a single-sample preparation. Our method is capable of reliably detecting a wide variety of biologically relevant metabolic aberrations in, for example, glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, pyrimidine metabolism and complex lipid biosynthesis. In conclusion, we provide a powerful analytical tool that maximizes metabolic data yield from a single sample. This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper.