PUBLICATION

Determination of monoamine neurotransmitters in zebrafish (Danio rerio) by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with a two-step derivatization

Authors
Aragon, A., Legradi, J., Ballesteros-Gómez, A., Legler, J., van Velzen, M., de Boer, J., Leonards, P.
ID
ZDB-PUB-170217-4
Date
2017
Source
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry   409(11): 2931-2939 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Legler, Juliette, Legradi, Jessica
Keywords
Derivatization, Design of experiments, GC-MS, Monoamine neurotransmitters, Neurotoxic chemical exposure, Zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Biogenic Monoamines/metabolism*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods*
  • Larva/drug effects*
  • Larva/metabolism*
  • Neurotoxins/administration & dosage*
  • Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Zebrafish/metabolism*
PubMed
28204887 Full text @ Anal. Bioanal. Chem.
Abstract
A sensitive analytical method for the determination of monoamine neurotransmitters (MNTs) in zebrafish larvae was developed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Six MNTs were selected as target compounds for neurotoxicity testing. MNTs underwent a two-step derivatization with hexamethyldisilazane (HDMS) for O-silylation followed by N-methyl-bis-heptafluorobutyramide (MBHFBA) for N-perfluoroacylation. Derivatization conditions were optimized by an experimental design approach. Method validation showed linear calibration curves (r 2 > 0.9976) in the range of 1-100 ng for all the compounds. The recovery rates were between 92 and 119%. The method was repeatable and reproducible with relative standard deviations (RSD) in the range of 2.5-9.3% for intra-day and 4.8-12% for inter-day variation. The limits of detection and the limits of quantitation were 0.4-0.8 and 1.2-2.7 ng/mL, respectively. The method was successfully applied to detect and quantify trace levels of MNTs in 5-day-old zebrafish larvae that were exposed to low concentrations of neurotoxic chemicals such as pesticides and methylmercury. Although visual malformations were not detected, the MNT levels varied significantly during early zebrafish development. These results show that exposure to neurotoxic chemicals can alter neurotransmitter levels and thereby may influence early brain development. Graphical abstract ᅟ.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping