Formation of a highly dense tetra-rhenium cluster in a protein crystal and its implications in medical imaging.

摘要: The fact that a protein crystal can serve as chemical reaction vessel is intrinsically fascinating. That it produce an electron-dense tetranuclear rhenium cluster compound from tri­carbonyl tri­bromo starting adds to the fascination. Such has been synthesized previously in vitro, where formed under basic conditions. Therefore, its synthesis grown at pH 4.5 even more unexpected. X-ray structures presented here are for hen egg-white lysozyme incubated with periods of one and two years. These reveal completed, very well resolved, tetra-rhenium after years intermediate state, carbonyl ligands not yet clearly year. A dense cluster, technetium form, offer enhanced contrast medical imaging. Stimulated by these crystallography results, unusual formation such species directly vivo situation considered. It offers new option imaging compounds, particularly when considering application pre-formed suggesting may be suitable diagnosis because stability, preference biological compatibility.