Imaging lipid metabolism in live Caenorhabditis elegans using fingerprint vibrations

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2014 Oct 27;53(44):11787-92. doi: 10.1002/anie.201406029. Epub 2014 Sep 4.

Abstract

Quantitation of lipid storage, unsaturation, and oxidation in live C. elegans has been a long-standing obstacle. The combination of hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering imaging and multivariate analysis in the fingerprint vibration region represents a platform that allows the quantitative mapping of fat distribution, degree of fat unsaturation, lipid oxidation, and cholesterol storage in vivo in the whole worm. Our results reveal for the first time that lysosome-related organelles in intestinal cells are sites for storage of cholesterol in C. elegans.

Keywords: C. elegans; cell metabolism; lipids; stimulated Raman scattering; vibrational spectroscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / chemistry*
  • Dermatoglyphics
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways*
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*
  • Vibration

Substances

  • Lipids