A lack of molecular contrast agents has slowed the application of ultrasensitive hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR methods. Here, we report that commercially available cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) undergoes rapid xenon exchange kinetics at 300 K, and is detectable by Hyper-CEST NMR at 1.8 pM in PBS and at 1 μM in human plasma where many molecules, including polyamines, can compete with xenon for CB[6] binding.

ConspectusMolecular imaging holds considerable promise for elucidating biological processes in normal physiology as well as disease states, by determining the location and relative concentration of specific molecules of interest. Proton-based magnetic resonance imaging (1H MRI) is nonionizing and provides good spatial resolution for clinical imaging but lacks sensitivity for imaging low-abundance (i.e., submicromolar) molecular markers of disease or environments with low proton densities. To address these limitations, hyperpolarized (hp) 129Xe NMR spectroscopy and MRI have emerged as attractive complementary methodologies. Hyperpolarized xenon is nontoxic and can be readily delivered to patients via inhalation or injection, and improved xenon hyperpolarization technology makes it feasible to image the lungs and brain for clinical applications.In order to target hp 129Xe to biomolecular targets of interest, the concept of “xenon biosensing” was first proposed by a Berkeley team in 2001. The development of xenon biosensors has since focused on modifying organic host molecules (e.g., cryptophanes) via diverse conjugation chemistries and has brought about numerous sensing applications including the detection of peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, metal ions, chemical modifications, and enzyme activity. Moreover, the large (∼300 ppm) chemical shift window for hp 129Xe bound to host molecules in water makes possible the simultaneous identification of multiple species in solution, that is, multiplexing. Beyond hyperpolarization, a 106-fold signal enhancement can be achieved through a technique known as hyperpolarized 129Xe chemical exchange saturation transfer (hyper-CEST), which shows great potential to meet the sensitivity requirement in many applications.This Account highlights an expanded palette of hyper-CEST biosensors, which now includes cryptophane and cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) small-molecule hosts, as well as genetically encoded gas vesicles and single proteins. In 2015, we reported picomolar detection of commercially available CB[6] via hyper-CEST. Inspired by the versatile host–guest chemistry of CB[6], our lab and others developed “turn-on” strategies for CB[6]-hyper-CEST biosensing, demonstrating detection of protein analytes in complex media and specific chemical events. CB[6] is starting to be employed for in vivo imaging applications. We also recently determined that TEM-1 β-lactamase can function as a single-protein reporter for hyper-CEST and observed useful saturation contrast for β-lactamase expressed in bacterial and mammalian cells. These newly developed small-molecule and genetically encoded xenon biosensors offer significant potential to extend the scope of hp 129Xe toward molecular MRI.

Molecular imaging holds considerable promise for elucidating biological processes in normal physiology as well as disease states, but requires noninvasive methods for identifying analytes at sub-micromolar concentrations. Particularly useful are genetically encoded, single-protein reporters that harness the power of molecular biology to visualize specific molecular processes, but such reporters have been conspicuously lacking for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, we report TEM-1 β-lactamase (bla) as a single-protein reporter for hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe NMR, with significant saturation contrast at 0.1 μM. Xenon chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) interactions with the primary allosteric site in bla give rise to a unique saturation peak at 255 ppm, well removed (~60 ppm downfield) from the 129Xe-H2O peak. Useful saturation contrast was also observed for bla expressed in bacterial cells and mammalian cells.

Here, we report a supramolecular strategy for detecting specific proteins in complex media using hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR. A cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) based molecular relay was programmed for three sequential equilibrium conditions by designing a two-faced guest (TFG) that initially binds CB[6] and blocks CB[6]-Xe interaction. Protein analyte recruits the TFG and frees CB[6] for Xe binding. TFGs containing CB[6]- and carbonic anhydrase II (CAII)-binding domains were synthesized in one or two steps. X-ray crystallography confirmed TFG binding to Zn2+ in the deep, active-site CAII cleft, which precludes simultaneous CB[6] binding. The molecular relay was reprogrammed to detect avidin using a different TFG. Finally, CB[6]-Xe binding was detected in buffer and in E. coli cultures expressing CAII via ultrasensitive 129Xe NMR spectroscopy.

Molecular imaging holds considerable promise for elucidating biological processes in normal physiology as well as disease states, but requires noninvasive methods for identifying analytes at sub‐micromolar concentrations. Particularly useful are genetically encoded, single‐protein reporters that harness the power of molecular biology to visualize specific molecular processes, but such reporters have been conspicuously lacking for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Herein, we report TEM‐1 β‐lactamase (bla) as a single‐protein reporter for hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe NMR, with significant saturation contrast at 0.1 μm. Xenon chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) interactions with the primary allosteric site in bla give rise to a unique saturation peak at 255 ppm, well removed (≈60 ppm downfield) from the 129Xe‐H2O peak. Useful saturation contrast was also observed for bla expressed in bacterial cells and mammalian cells.

We present the first cryptophane-based “turn-on” 129Xe NMR biosensor, employing a peptide-functionalized cryptophane to monitor the activation of calmodulin (CaM) protein in solution. In the absence of CaM binding, interaction between the peptide and cryptophane completely suppresses the hyperpolarized 129Xe-cryptophane NMR signal. Biosensor binding to Ca2+-activated CaM produces the expected 129Xe-cryptophane NMR signal.

A supramolecular strategy for detecting specific proteins in complex media by using hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR is reported. A cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6])‐based molecular relay was programmed for three sequential equilibrium conditions by designing a two‐faced guest (TFG) that initially binds CB[6] and blocks the CB[6]–Xe interaction. The protein analyte recruits the TFG and frees CB[6] for Xe binding. TFGs containing CB[6]‐ and carbonic anhydrase II (CAII)‐binding domains were synthesized in one or two steps. X‐ray crystallography confirmed TFG binding to Zn2+ in the deep CAII active‐site cleft, which precludes simultaneous CB[6] binding. The molecular relay was reprogrammed to detect avidin by using a different TFG. Finally, Xe binding by CB[6] was detected in buffer and in E. coli cultures expressing CAII through ultrasensitive 129Xe NMR spectroscopy.

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