Using citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) is an approach that has demonstrated broad applicability to ionization of different classes of molecules. Here, we show a simple AuNP-based approach for the ionization of neurotransmitters. Specifically, the detection of acetylcholine, dopamine, epinephrine, glutamine, 4-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, octopamine, and serotonin was achieved at physiologically relevant concentrations in serum and homogenized tissue. Additionally, pneumatic spraying of AuNPs onto tissue sections facilitated mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) of rabbit brain tissue sections, zebrafish embryos, and neuroblastoma cells for several neurotransmitters simultaneously using this quick and simple sample preparation. AuNP LDI-MS achieved mapping of neurotransmitters in fine structures of zebrafish embryos and neuroblastoma cells at a lateral spatial resolution of 5 μm. The use of AuNPs to ionize small aminergic neurotransmitters in situ provides a fast, high-spatial resolution method for simultaneous detection of a class of molecules that typically evade comprehensive detection with traditional matrixes.

中文翻译：

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气动喷涂金纳米颗粒用于神经递质的质谱成像。

使用柠檬酸盐封端的金纳米粒子 (AuNPs) 进行激光解吸电离质谱 (LDI-MS) 是一种已证明对不同类别分子电离具有广泛适用性的方法。在这里，我们展示了一种简单的基于 AuNP 的神经递质电离方法。具体而言，乙酰胆碱、多巴胺、肾上腺素、谷氨酰胺、4-氨基丁酸、去甲肾上腺素、章鱼胺和血清素的检测是在血清和匀浆组织中以生理相关浓度实现的。此外，使用这种快速且简单的样品制备方法，将 AuNP 气动喷洒到组织切片上有助于同时对兔脑组织切片、斑马鱼胚胎和神经母细胞瘤细胞进行多种神经递质的质谱成像 (MSI)。AuNP LDI-MS 以 5 μm 的横向空间分辨率实现了斑马鱼胚胎和神经母细胞瘤细胞精细结构中神经递质的映射。使用 AuNPs 原位电离小的胺能神经递质提供了一种快速、高空间分辨率的方法，用于同时检测一类通常逃避使用传统基质进行全面检测的分子。