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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
13:21
Preparation, Purification, and Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes for Use as Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: July 21, 2011
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Development of a glutamine-responsive MRI contrast agent
Charles A Wilson1, Austin T Bruchs2, Saman Fatima1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 600 S. Mathews Ave Urbana IL 61801 USA.
Chemical Science
|December 15, 2025
Summary
We developed a novel analyte-responsive MRI contrast agent using switchable artificial metalloproteins. Glutamine binding triggers a conformational change, enhancing MRI signal for potential disease biomarker detection.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents currently lack analyte-responsiveness.
- Disease biomarkers, such as glutamine (Gln) in tumors, offer potential for targeted imaging.
- Switchable artificial metalloproteins (swArMs) can be engineered for analyte-responsive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a proof-of-concept analyte-responsive MRI contrast agent.
- To investigate the Gln-binding-induced signal changes in swArMs.
- To optimize swArM design for enhanced MRI contrast.
Main Methods:
- Engineered swArMs with MRI-active metals (Gd3+, Dy3+) and various ligands.
- Characterized Gln-binding affinity using isothermal titration calorimetry.
- Verified conformational changes with circular dichroism and determined structures via X-ray diffraction.
Main Results:
- swArMs demonstrated Gln-responsive MRI signal changes.
- A ~60% increase in T2 relaxivity was observed upon Gln binding.
- Structural analysis revealed metallocofactor interactions modulated by Gln binding.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel platform for analyte-responsive MRI contrast agents.
- Demonstrated the potential of swArMs for detecting disease biomarkers like glutamine.
- Opened new avenues for targeted and responsive molecular imaging.
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