BUILDING A MULTIPLE REACTION MONITORING DATABASE FOR PLASMA PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINES AND PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINES

Abstract

The human plasma lipidome has great potential for translational clinical research. However, current lipidomics multiple reaction monitoring methods tend to rely on single transitions (quantifiers) for identification, which compromises their ability to identify lipids with accuracy and detail. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids, are two major phospholipid classes in the plasma lipidome. Hence, accurate and detailed identification of these classes is crucial to translational lipidomics studies. Using both qualifier and quantifier transitions, a MRM database for plasma PC and PE lipids is developed, which identifies 97 PC and PE lipids. The ratio of the intensity of the fragment ion at m/z X over that of m/z Y, including headgroup transitions, varies according to lipid subclass, and allows one to discriminate between lipid species. This database will be useful for basic and applied research involving the plasma lipidome.