A steroid-conjugated contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of cell signaling

J Am Chem Soc. 2005 Sep 28;127(38):13164-6. doi: 10.1021/ja051294x.

Abstract

We have synthesized the first steroid hormone-MR contrast agent conjugate designed to track the cell signaling process upon binding to a gene switch system. The derivative has a high relaxivity and when tested in vitro is active as a progesterone antagonist (RU-486). By combining a transcriptional system and a noninvasive imaging technology, such as MRI, it would be a powerful tool to research the cell signaling pathway in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Binding, Competitive / drug effects
  • Gadolinium / chemistry*
  • Ligands
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Mifepristone / chemical synthesis*
  • Mifepristone / chemistry
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Progesterone / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Mifepristone
  • Gadolinium