Journal
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
Volume 51, Issue 3, Pages 616-620Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/mrm.10719
Keywords
beta-galactosidase; gene reporter molecule; lacZ; F-19 NMR; nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside; prostate cancer
Funding
- NCI NIH HHS [P20 CA 86354, P20 CA086354] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Gene therapy holds great promise for the treatment of diverse diseases. However, widespread implementation is hindered by difficulties in assessing the success of transfection in terms of spatial extent, gene expression, and longevity of expression. The development of noninvasive reporter techniques based on appropriate molecules and imaging modalities may help to assay gene expression. 4-Fluoro-2-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (PFONPG) is a novel prototype NMR-sensitive molecule, which is highly responsive to the action of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), the product of the lacZ gene. The molecule is stable in solution and with respect to wild-type cells, but the enzyme causes very rapid liberation of the aglycone, accompanied by color formation and a F-19 NMR chemical shift of 5-10 ppm, depending on pH. Since the product is pH-sensitive, this opens the possibility for direct pH determinations at the site of enzyme activity. Molecular and F-19 NMR characteristics of PFONPG in solution, blood, and prostate tumor cells are presented. This prototype molecule facilitates a novel approach for assaying gene activity in vivo. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available