Aqsa, Jamia Millia Islamia
Introduction:
Metabolites are the intermediates of cellular metabolism, and their study is known as metabolomics. They have multiple functions, such as in the growth, development, and reproduction of cells. Knowing the number of metabolites inside a system gives us an idea about the physiological state of that system. Hence, the qualitative and quantitative analysis of metabolites is necessary. Usually, the analysis requires a large number of cells in techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance. One problem that occurs in these methods is that the heterogeneity of cells gets neglected. Single-cell metabolic analysis helps in solving this problem by detecting and identifying specific analytes at the single-cell level. It also helps in identifying the chemical components and metabolic changes in a single cell. It ultimately helps in understanding the cell’s functions more clearly. SCM has also made the discovery of future treatments for various diseases. Besides detection and identification of metabolites, SCM also helps in the localization of metabolites. A recent study with SCM has helped in determining the location of terpenoid indole alkaloids and their precursors in a medicinal plant.
Applications of single-cell metabolomics:
Single-cell metabolomics is a powerful analytical tool and has limitless applications. Some of the applications of SCM are discussed below –
- Single-cell metabolomics in plant research – SCM is widely used in phytology. It has helped in revealing changes in the epidermal bladder cells of halophytes at the single-cell level. Also, the developmental relationship between two types of trichomes of cannabis explains psychoactive and medicinal usage. Hence, SCM explains mechanisms of plant functions and features, which could benefit in the development of more adaptive crop breeds or more effective extraction of desirable biosynthesized compounds.
- Single-cell metabolomics helps to decode neural cell heterogeneity- SCM also helps in neurology. It helps in analyzing the detailed and complex structure of neurons. Changes that are induced inside a neuron by a disease can also be detected using Single-cell metabolic analysis. SCM can also identify different types and sub-types of neurons present within the brain.
- Single-cell metabolomics in cancer cell identification – Inside a single tumor, tumor cells can have different morphologies and phenotypes that generate cancer heterogeneity. Therefore, SCM can be used in studying oncology for cancer diagnosis. Single-cell metabolic analysis has now revealed that malignant tumors have high metabolic activity. SCM also helps in getting information about the circulating tumor cells. It has been revealed that circulating melanoma cells have a lower expression of purine that assists these cells in arbitrating oxidative stress during metastasis.SCM also helps in generating or inventing the development of new treatments. The main problem in producing an effective treatment of cancer is the heterogeneity of cancer cells and their subtypes. SCM helps in detecting and identifying different cancer cell subtypes solving the problem of identifying cell subtypes. A recent study using SCM has revealed the role of mannose in differentiating osteosarcoma cells from normal human osteoblasts. Mannose acts as a stimulant in osteosarcoma cells which helps in recognizing differently from normal human osteoblasts.
Conclusion:
SCM helps in providing small information about small molecules, intermediates, and products of cellular metabolism, which are usually less than 1kD in weight. Collecting such information at the level of a single cell would otherwise have been impossible. SCM is a future tool to eradicate the problem of cellular heterogeneity and producing more effective treatments.
Also read: Human Genome project applications in Personalized medicine
References:
“The Limitless Applications of Single-Cell Metabolomics.” Current Opinion in Biotechnology, vol. 71, Oct. 2021, pp. 115–22. www.sciencedirect.com, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2021.07.015.
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