Preparation of magnetic resonance contrast agents activated by beta-galactosidase.

The preparation of beta-EgadMe and alpha-EgadMe, magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agents that can be used for in vivo detection of beta-galactosidase, is described. Diastereomerically pure beta-EgadMe can be synthesized by kinetically resolving the starting material as described in Step 1. The total time for the preparation of the racemic mixture of beta-EgadMe is about 8 d, and the total time for an diastereomerically resolved agent is about 9 d.

Mechanistic investigation of beta-galactosidase-activated MR contrast agents.

We report a mechanistic investigation of an isomeric series of beta-galactosidase-activated magnetic resonance contrast agents. Our strategy focuses on the synthesis of macrocyclic caged-complexes that coordinatively saturate a chelated lanthanide. Enzyme cleavage of the complex results in an open coordination site available for water that creates a detectable MR contrast agent.