Ionomics

Abstract

<p>Trace elements in their ionic form mediate biochemical reactions in human cells by acting as enzyme cofactors or centers for stabilizing protein structures. Deficit or accumulation of these substances lead to cell toxicity and severe diseases in humans and therefore, intracellular trace ion concentrations (i.e. the "ionome") must be tightly controlled. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine and quantify the intracellular trace ion concentrations. In ionomics assays HEK cells overexpressing a particular doxycycline-inducible SLC transporter were used to quantify the change of inorganic ions by ICP-MS upon cell lysis. ICP-MS based ionomics is rather a low throughput assay, as a significant volume of sample is required.</p&gt