Detection of Enzymatic Activity by PARACEST MRI: A General Approach to Target a Large Variety of Enzymes

Perfect timing: A “smart” pro-PARACEST agent has been designed to detect β-galactosidase activity. Upon enzymatic attack, the self-immolative benzyloxycarbamate linker bearing the enzyme-specific substrate is cleaved and yields [Yb(dota-NH2)]−, which is endowed with a PARACEST effect. This pro-PARACEST agent is the first representative of a family of molecular imaging probes for the specific detection of a large variety of enzymatic activities using PARACEST.