Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Institute of Molecular Biology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2012 Apr;3(2):78-89. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2011.11.002. Epub 2012 Jan 5.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) of crude bacterial samples has been introduced as a very cost-efficient and rapid, yet highly informative tool to identify and classify bacteria. The potential of this approach to characterize whole animals, so far preferentially insects, is only evolving. Here, a simple protocol was developed to perform MALDI-MS analysis on extracts from whole ticks of 7 species and 4 developmental stages. Using commercially available software designed for the identification of bacteria, a reference database of spectra was constructed that allowed the species determination of ticks using larvae, nymphs, or adult individuals as starting material. Cluster analysis on the basis of MALDI mass spectra indicated that the primary determinant for the mass spectra was the species, followed by the developmental stages, which formed distinct clusters within the given species. With certain limitations, species identification was also possible using body parts and engorged animals. Spectra of developing Ixodes ricinus eggs showed dramatic changes with time, suggesting that, beyond its usefulness for species determination, MALDI-typing may have applications in developmental biology.
基质辅助激光解吸电离质谱（MALDI-MS）已被引入，作为一种非常经济高效、快速且信息量丰富的工具，用于鉴定和分类细菌。这种方法的潜力在于能够对整个动物进行特征分析，目前主要是昆虫，这一领域仍在不断发展。本文开发了一种简单的方案，用于分析 7 个物种和 4 个发育阶段的全蜱提取物。利用专为细菌鉴定设计的商业软件，构建了一个参考光谱数据库，允许使用幼虫、若虫或成虫作为起始材料来确定蜱的种类。基于 MALDI 质谱的聚类分析表明，质谱的主要决定因素是物种，其次是发育阶段，在给定的物种内形成不同的聚类。存在某些限制的情况下，使用身体部位和吸血后的动物也可以进行物种鉴定。发育中的硬蜱卵的质谱随时间显示出明显的变化，这表明，除了在物种鉴定方面的有用性之外，MALDI 分型可能在发育生物学中有应用。
