Synthesis and characterization of a paramagnetic sialic acid conjugate as probe for magnetic resonance applications

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) using paramagnetic systems as contrast agents is receiving increased attention as diagnostic tool in the clinic. At the same time, NMR of paramagnetic systems can also be applied in biochemical fields; for example, the use of Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement (PRE) allows structure refinement and the analysis of transient dynamic processes involved in macromolecular complex formation. Herein we report the synthesis and computational characterization of a new DOTA-like sialic acid conjugate, which can be used both in MRI and PRE applications when coordinated to a suitable paramagnetic metal.

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► Sialic acid conjugate to paramagnetic systems.
► Magnetic Resonance Imaging with paramagnetic sialoconjugates.
► NMR probe for sialic acid processing enzymes.