Dual 1H and 19F MR LacZ Gene Reporter Molecule

Rami Robert Hallac¹, Vikram D. Kodibagkar¹, Jian-Xin Yu¹, Ralph P. Mason¹

The detection of enzyme activity and gene expression in vivo is potentially important for the characterization of diseases and gene therapy. We demonstrate the use of a novel class of dual 1H/19F NMR lacZ gene reporter molecule to identify ]-gal expressing tumors in mice. The substrate shows a single 19F NMR signal and exposure to -galactosidase induces a large 19F NMR chemical shift response. The combination of Fe3+ and released aglycone product generates intense T2 contrast only in ]-gal expressing tumor. The dual modality approach allows both the detection of substrate and imaging of product.