HistoSnap: A Novel Software Tool to Extract m/z-Specific Images from Large MSHC Datasets

Methods Mol Biol. 2023:2688:15-26. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3319-9_2.

Abstract

We describe an informatics tool for comfortable browsing through highly complex, multi-gigabyte mass spectrometry histochemistry (MSHC) datasets, via clever ion-specific image extraction.The package is developed particularly for the untargeted localization/discovery of biomolecules such as endogenous (neuro)secretory peptides on histological sections of biobanked formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples straight from tissue banks.Atmospheric pressure-MALDI-Orbitrap MSHC data of sections through human pituitary adenomas in which two well-known human neuropeptides are detected are used as an example to demonstrate the key features of the novel software, named HistoSnap.

Keywords: (neuro)secretory peptides; HistoSnap; MSHC; Mass spectrometry histochemistry; Molecule-specific images.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Formaldehyde* / chemistry
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Paraffin Embedding
  • Peptides*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Tissue Fixation / methods

Substances

  • Peptides
  • Formaldehyde