Bifunctional aromatic compounds which are capable of linking metal ions to biologically useful molecules. The bifunctional compounds are characterized as having a hydrazine or hydrazide group and a protein reactive group. The hydrazine or hydrazide group may be protected as a lower alkyl hydrazone. Conjugates of the bifunctional compounds with macromolecules are also described and labelled macromolecules comprised of the conjugates and metal ions are provided. Additionally, a method is provided for forming a labelled macromolecule by reacting a conjugate with a metal species. The compounds and method of this invention are particularly useful in the fields of biology and medicine for imaging and/or therapy.
双官能芳香族化合物能够将
金属离子与
生物有用分子连接起来。双官能化合物的特点是具有一个
肼或酰
肼基团和一个蛋白质活性基团。
肼或酰
肼基团可作为低级烷基腙加以保护。还描述了双官能团化合物与大分子的共轭物,并提供了由共轭物和
金属离子组成的标记大分子。此外,还提供了一种通过共轭物与
金属物种反应形成标记大分子的方法。本发明的化合物和方法尤其适用于
生物学和医学领域的成像和/或治疗。