Abstract: Compositions and methods of incorporating ligand precursors and ligands at any location within a peptide during peptide synthesis are disclosed. Derivatives of 2,4,5-triaminopentanoic acid and .gamma.-aminoglutamic acid are selectively incorporated into the peptide during solid phase or liquid phase synthesis, depending upon the choice of protecting groups. Ligand synthesis may then be completed at a later time to produce N.sub.3 S, N.sub.2 S.sub.2, and EDTA type chelating agents.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of incorporating ligand precursors and ligands at any location within a peptide during peptide synthesis are disclosed. Derivatives of 2,4,5-triaminopentanoic acid and .gamma.-aminoglutamic acid are selectively incorporated into the peptide during solid phase or liquid phase synthesis, depending upon the choice of protecting groups. Ligand synthesis may then be completed at a later time to produce N.sub.3 S, N.sub.2 S.sub.2, and EDTA type chelating agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides new and structurally diverse compositions comprising compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein A is N or CR.sub.1, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, or C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, where the alkyl or aryl group may be optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkoxy, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 hydroxyaryl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryloxy, --CO.sub.2 R.sub.2, --CONR.sub.3 R.sub.4, or NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 ; R.sub.2 -R.sub.7 are as defined within; g, h, i, j, k and m may be the same or different and are an integer from one to about six; X is --CO.sub.2 H, --PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, --SO.sub.3 H or --CONHOH.Methods for imaging including MRI, X-ray and radiation diagnosis using compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Ligands that are capable of forming metal complexes are incorporated directly into peptides at nonbiologically active locations. The metal complex serves as a bifunctional agent and as a spacer molecule. In one aspect of the invention, the ligands are prepared by replacing a nonbiologically active peptide spacer sequence with either Cys-Gly-Gly-Glu(.gamma.-)CO- (SEQ ID NO:1) or Cys-Gly-Gly-Lys(.epsilon.-)NH-CO(CH.sub.2).sub.2 -CO- (SEQ ID NO:2). In these examples, unnatural peptide bonds are used to attach the ligand to the terminal end of the peptide. Peptides incorporating such ligands are also disclosed.Other spacer ligands which may be incorporated into peptides include the following natural peptide sequences: -Cys-Gly-His-, -Asp-Gly-Cys-, -Glu-Gly-Cys-, -Gly-Asp-Cys-, and -Gly-Glu-Cys-. Unnatural tripeptides which function as spacer ligands include: -Cys-Gly-(imidazolyl glycyl)-, -isoCys-Gly-(imidazolyl glycyl)-, and -isoCys-Gly-His-.

Abstract: The present invention provides new and structurally diverse compositions for diagnostic imaging comprising compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein A is N or CR.sub.1, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, or C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, where the alkyl or aryl group may be optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 hydroxyalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkoxy, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 hydroxyaryl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryloxy, --CO.sub.2 R.sub.2, --CONR.sub.3 R.sub.4, or NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 ; D is O, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.3 O--, or NR.sub.5 ; E is O, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.3 O-- or NR.sub.6 ; F is O, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.3 O-- or NR.sub.7 ; R.sub.2 -R.sub.7 are as defined within; g, h, i, j, k and m may be the same or different and are an integer from one to about six; X is --CO.sub.2 H, --PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, --SO.sub.3 H or --CONHOH.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for enhancing magnetic resonance imaging which utilize hydrophilic free radical compounds as magnetic resonance contrast media. Typical magnetic resonance contrast media within the scope of the present invention include stable hydrophilic free radicals having a hydrophilic moiety, such as polyhydroxyalkyl groups and heterocyclic amino-alcohols such as dihydroxypyrrolidine, dihydroxypiperidine, and trihydroxypiperidine, and a stable free radical moiety, such as a nitroxide, phenoxy, or phenoxazinyl free radical moiety.

Abstract: Complexes useful as radiopharmaceutical imaging agents comprise technetium bonded to a ligand which generally can be described by the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is N, C, B or P;the three Y groups can be the same or different, each characterized by the general formula ##STR2## and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, W, and X are further defined herein.