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Metabolome profiling of the developing murine lens
Shahid Y Khan1, Muhammad Ali1, S Amer Riazuddin1
1The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
Experimental Eye Research
|November 7, 2020
Summary
This study maps the mouse lens metabolome during development, identifying key metabolites like lipids and amino acids. These findings reveal distinct metabolic shifts from embryonic to postnatal stages.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- The lens metabolome changes significantly during development.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for identifying factors influencing lens health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile the mouse lens metabolome across multiple embryonic and postnatal time points.
- To identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in early lens development.
Main Methods:
- Mouse lenses were collected at six developmental time points (E15, E18, P0, P3, P6, P9).
- Metabolites were extracted using protein precipitation and centrifugation.
- Metabolome profiling was performed using reverse-phase/ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (RP/UHPLC-MS/MS).
Main Results:
- A total of 353 metabolites were identified, with notable abundance in collagen, antioxidants, glycosaminoglycans, lipids, amino acids, and energy-related compounds.
- Over 200 metabolites showed increased levels at later developmental stages compared to embryonic day 15 (p < 0.05).
- Principal component analysis (PCA) and random forest analysis revealed distinct temporal metabolomic signatures, with lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides significantly differentiating time points.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive metabolome profile of the developing mouse lens across multiple embryonic and postnatal stages.
- Distinct metabolic signatures characterize lens development, highlighting the dynamic changes in metabolite levels crucial for ocular development.
