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Applications of Metabolomics in Virus Research

Metabolomics analysis is a new technology to investigate the metabolites produced by or altered in an organism. Since the small-molecular intermediates and products of metabolism can reflect unique chemical patterns generated by specific cellular processes, metabolites as indicators of specific disease states or stages have been applied to investigate and diagnose the progression of viral infections. A combination of the host immune response and the dysregulation of the major biochemical pathways in response to infection leads to dramatic metabolic alterations. Here, we focus on viral infections that have attracted numerous metabolomics studies, including dengue viruses (DENVs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Zika virus (ZIKV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza virus, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV).

Metabolomics analysis

Metabolomics has been successfully exploited to study a variety of virus infections in mammals, insects and plants. Samples used for metabolomics analyses, including in vitro persistently and acutely infected cell cultures, body fluids, and tissues. These samples should carefully be collected and stored to ensure infection status and group membership. After quenched and extracted, metabolites are analyzed and measured by mass spectrometry (MS) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). There are several metabolomic analytical techniques, including LC-MS, GC-MS, and 1H NMR. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, GC-MS has the characteristics of high sensitivity, high separation efficiency and high resolution for the detection of compounds. While NMR is more reproducible and quantifiable.

Workflow for metabolomic studies.Fig1. Workflow for metabolomic studies.(Byers, N. M., et al, 2019)

Advantages of metabolomics analysis in virology research

Based on a range of advanced techniques, such as LC-MS, GC-MS, and 1H NMR, metabolomics analysis allows for accurate and sensitive measurements of many metabolites simultaneously. Metabolomics analysis has several major advantages in virological research, including,

  • Able to measure the highly dynamic host metabolism during viral infection, contributing to understanding host-virus interactions in humans
  • Able to complement current serologic and PCR assays
  • Able to identify metabolic changes signaling disease progression, providing prognostic data
  • Able to assist in evaluating the efficacy of the therapeutic intervention
  • Able to assist in evaluating animal models or experimental designs

Applications of metabolomics in virus research

To date, metabolomics analysis has become one of the prime areas in virology research, helping researchers explore dynamic host metabolism caused by viral infections, discover new biomarkers (specific metabolites and novel pathways involved in viral infection), determine disease pathogenesis, and develop diagnosis and personalized treatment. Creative Proteomics has been developing metabolomics detection methods and data analysis methods for many years. We are committed to providing high-quality service to greatly accelerate our customers' project progress and success. For more information on how we can help you, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

  1. Byers, N. M., et al. (2019). "Metabolomic insights into human arboviral infections: Dengue, chikungunya, and zika viruses." Viruses, 11(3), 225.

* For research use only.

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