Artificial reporter gene providing MRI contrast based on proton exchange

• Published in: Nature biotechnology Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 217 - 219
• Main Authors: Bulte, Jeff W M, van Zijl, Peter C M, Gilad, Assaf A, McMahon, Michael T, Walczak, Piotr, Winnard, Paul T, Raman, Venu, van Laarhoven, Hanneke W M, Skoglund, Cynthia M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Nature 01.02.2007; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Animals; Biodegradation; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Brain Neoplasms - pathology; Cell division; Cell Line, Tumor; Contrast Media; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene expression; Genes, Reporter; Genetics; Glioma - pathology; Image Enhancement - methods; Lysine - genetics; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Mice; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Proteins; Protons; Prototypes; Recombinant Proteins; Research methodology; Netherlands; Reporter gene; Lysine; Magnetic resonance; Genetic engineering; Imagery; Proton exchange; Protein
• ISSN: 1087-0156; 1546-1696
• DOI: 10.1038/nbt1277

Existing magnetic resonance reporter genes all rely on the presence of (super)paramagnetic substances and employ water relaxation to gain contrast. We designed a nonmetallic, biodegradable, lysine rich-protein (LRP) reporter, the prototype of a potential family of genetically engineered reporters expressing artificial proteins with frequency-selective contrast. This endogenous contrast, based on transfer of radiofrequency labeling from the reporter's amide protons to water protons, can be switched on and off.