Enzyme Histochemistry Using Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Introduction

Enzymatic reactions are commonly detected by reacting a substrate and enzyme, using the reaction products in a subsequent reaction to produce a color response, then measuring the absorbance. Existing methods of detecting enzymatic reactions require both the primary reaction between the substrate and enzyme and the secondary reaction for a color response. A new method of detecting enzymatic reactions forgoes the secondary reaction and instead detects primary reaction products with a mass spectrometer. Applying this technique on the surface of a tissue sample also allows for visualization of enzyme activity. This Application Note describes performing this new enzyme histochemistry technique in an example that uses iMScope^TM, an instrument capable of performing mass spectrometry imaging at high resolution.

January 6, 2022 GMT