Spatial mapping of the brain metabolome lipidome and glycome
Harrison A. Clarke, Xin Ma, Cameron J. Shedlock, Terrymar Medina, Tara R. Hawkinson, Lei Wu, Roberto A. Ribas, Shannon Keohane, Sakthivel Ravi, Jennifer L. Bizon, Sara N. Burke, Jose F. Abisambra, Matthew E. Merritt, Boone M. Prentice, Craig W. Vander Kooi, Matthew S. Gentry, Li Chen, Ramon C. Sun
Abstract
Metabolites, lipids, and glycans are fundamental but interconnected classes of biomolecules that form the basis of the metabolic network. These molecules are dynamically channeled through multiple pathways that govern cellular physiology and pathology. Here, we present a framework for the simultaneous spatial analysis of the metabolome, lipidome, and glycome from a single tissue section using mass spectrometry imaging. This workflow integrates a computational platform, the Spatial Augmented Multiomics Interface (Sami), which enables multiomics integration, high-dimensional clustering, spatial anatomical mapping of matched molecular features, and metabolic pathway enrichment. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we applied Sami to evaluate metabolic diversity across distinct brain regions and to compare wild-type and Ps19 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse models. Our findings reveal region-specific metabolic demands in the normal brain and highlight metabolic dysregulation in the Ps19 model, providing insights into the biochemical alterations associated with neurodegeneration. Clarke et al. presents a framework for spatial analysis of the metabolome, lipidome, and glycome from a single tissue section using mass spectrometry imaging. Applying this approach, they revealed region-specific metabolic diversity and dysregulation in both normal and diseased mouse brains.