Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) sample preparation for metabolomics and lipidomics analysis – A review

• Published in: TrAC, Trends in analytical chemistry (Regular ed.) Vol. 169; p. 117374
• Main Authors: Santoro, Adriana Leandra, Vendramini, Pedro H., Braga, Deisi L., Martins, Lucas Gelain, Dos Santos, Gabriel F., Lima, Gesiane S., Tasic, Ljubica, Mori, Marcelo A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Bligh & Dyer; C. elegans; Folch; GC-MS; LC-MS; Lipidomics; Matyash; Metabolite extraction; Metabolomics; RMN; Metabolomics; C. elegans; BD; LLE; Folch; LTQ; Lipidomics; ACN; MTBE; GC-MS; QqQ; Bligh & Dyer; HRMS; LC-MS; RMN; NMR; MeOH; LC; LE; ESI; Metabolite extraction; Matyash; GC; QTOF
• ISSN: 0165-9936; 1879-3142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.117374

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a powerful model organism which has been extensively characterized at the genetic and cellular levels and used to study various biological processes. However, less is known about how metabolic pathways operate in C. elegans and how metabolites participate in worm's physiology. Metabolomics and lipidomics have emerged as valuable tools for understanding C. elegans biology and its association with physiological and pathological conditions in humans. Metabolomics and lipidomics methods are diverse and lead to different outcomes depending on a number of variables, including sample preparation, metabolite extraction, the method of detection and data analysis. In this Review, the main steps involved in C. elegans lipidomics and metabolomics analyses are presented, directing particular attention to the advantages and drawbacks of each method of sample preparation and processing in terms of simplicity and metabolite coverage, and also listing the most frequently used protocols and their applications. Caenorhabditis elegans metabolomics and lipidomics analyzes have contributed to various fields in biology, shedding light onto complex metabolic processes and expanding the landscape of biological investigation. These advances encompass studies concerning mechanisms associated with changes in lifespan and reproduction, effects of a number of interventions and genetic manipulation, and redox biology. [Display omitted] •The use of metabolomics and lipidomics approaches in C. elegans has contributed to the understanding of various biological processes.•Sample preparation is a critical step in C. elegans metabolomics and lipidomics analyzes.•Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonanceare the most common analytical methodologies for C. elegans metabolomics and lipidomics.•Inthis Review, current protocols and perspectives in C. elegans metabolomics and lipidomics are discussed.