Synthesis of a probe for monitoring HSV1-tk reporter gene expression using chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI

摘要: In experiments involving transgenic animals or treated with cells, it is important to have a method monitor the expression of relevant genes longitudinally and noninvasively. An MRI-based reporter gene enables monitoring in deep tissues living subjects. This information can be co-registered detailed high-resolution anatomical functional information. We describe here synthesis probe, 5-methyl-5,6-dihydrothymidine (5-MDHT), which used for imaging herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) rodents by MRI. The protocol also includes data acquisition processing routines customized chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast mechanisms. dihydropyrimidine 5-MDHT synthesized through catalytic hydrogenation 5,6-double bond yield 5,6-dihydrothymidine, methylated on C-5 position resulting saturated pyrimidine ring. completed within 5 d, compound stable more than year.