TOF-SIMS 3D biomolecular imaging of Xenopus laevis oocytes using buckminsterfullerene (C60) primary ions

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) using buckminsterfullerene (C-60) as the primary ion source has the ability to generate chemical images of surfaces with high sensitivities and minimal chemical damage. We studied the application of C-60(+) to depth profile a biological cell surface in a controlled manner and to subsequently image the revealed subsurfaces, in order to generate three-dimensional molecular images of the biological system. Such an analytical tool not only enables the surface localization of molecular species to be mapped but also enables the biomolecular distribution as a function of depth to be investigated with minimal sample preparation/intervention. Here we demonstrate the technique with a freeze-dried Xenopus laevis oocyte, which is a single cell. A C-60(+) ion beam was used with computer-controlled analyses and etch cycles. Mass spectra derived from the surface revealed peaks corresponding to cholesterol (m/z 369) and other lipids at m/z 540-570 and 800-1000, in the positive ion mode, and lipid fatty acid side chains (e.g., m/z 255) in the negative ion mode. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the 3D biomolecular imaging within an actual biological system using TOF-SIMS.