Review Matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry in lipid and phospholipid research J. Schiller * , R. Su ¨ß, J. Arnhold, B. Fuchs, J. Leßig, M. Mu ¨ ller, M. Petkovic ´, H. Spalteholz, O. Zscho ¨ rnig, K. Arnold Medical Department, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 27, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany Abstract The interest in the analysis of lipids and phospholipids is continuously increasing due to the importance of these molecules in biochemistry (e.g. in the context of biomembranes and lipid second messengers) as well as in industry. Unfortunately, commonly used methods of lipid analysis are often time-consuming and tedious because they include previous separation and/or derivatization steps. With the development of ‘‘soft-ionization techniques’’ like electrospray ionization (ESI) or matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF), mass spectrometry became also applicable to lipid analysis. The aim of this review is to summarize so far available experiences in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis of lipids. It will be shown that MALDI-TOF MS can be applied to all known lipid classes and 0163-7827/$ - see front matter Ó 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.plipres.2004.08.001 Abbreviations: BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage; CI, chemical ionization; DAG, diacylglycerols; DE, delayed extraction; DHB, 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic acid; EI, electron impact; ESI, electrospray ionization; FAB, fast atom bombardment; FD, field desorption; FI, field ionization; GC/MS, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; HMQC, heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence; LD, laser desor- ption; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; LPC, lysophosphatidylcholine; LPE, lysophosphatidylethanolamine; LPL, lyso- phospholipid; LPS, lysophosphatidylserine; MALDI, matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization; MS, mass spectrometry; MW, molecular weight; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; NOE, nuclear overhauser effect; PA, phosphatidic acid; PC, phosphatidylcholine; PD, plasma desorption; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; PI, phosphatidylinositol; PL, pho- spholipid; PPI, (poly)-phosphoinositides; PS, phosphatidylserine; PG, phosphatidylglycerol; SM, sphingomyelin; sn, stere- ospecific numbering; TAG, triacylglycerol; TFA, trifluoroacetic acid; TLC, thin-layer chromatography; TOF, time-of-flight. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 341 9715733; fax: +49 341 9715709. E-mail address: schij@medizin.uni-leipzig.de (J. Schiller). Progress in Lipid Research 43 (2004) 449–488 Progress in Lipid Research www.elsevier.com/locate/plipres