Aptameric Modulation of Gadolinium (III) Contrast Agents

Overview

Objectives/Goals This research investigates whether binding oligonucleotide-based receptors (aptamers) to gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents can increase the sensitivity of the contrast agents by increasing their relaxivity. It is a further objective of the investigation that the synthesized product interfere less with Ca2+ receptors in biological systems than existing gadolinium-based Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Methods/Materials These goals are achieved using a synthesized ligand and aptamers (synthetic, highly structured, single stranded DNA or RNA ligands). Increasing the molecular weight of contrast agents by binding them to a ligand and an aptamer should increase the relaxivity of the contrast agent and reduce the number of water molecules in the first coordination sphere. Binding the contrast agent to a DNA aptamer will also likely reduce the extent to which gadolinium competes with Ca2+ in biological systems. Results Currently, successful synthesis of all structures from the base of the ligands, all intermediary structures, and the fully-synthesized ligand has been confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance and/or a mass spectrometer. Testing of both contrast agents shows no increase in clarity. Conclusions/Discussion The cause is still unknown; however, it creates new questions as to whether the library contained an aptamer with a high enough affinity, or if the protocol needed to be modified.

Competition history

• CSEF 2011 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry S0514

Resources

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