RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Going Nuclear with Amino Acids and Proteins: Basic Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Primer for the Technologist
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol.
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 186
OP 194
DO 10.2967/jnmt.122.263847
VO 50
IS 3
A1 Glasgow, Krystle
A1 Dillard, Mike
A1 Hertenstein, Eric
A1 Justin, Allen
A1 George, Remo
A1 Brady, Amy
YR 2022
UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/50/3/186.abstract
AB In recent years, there has been an influx of new tracers into the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Most of those that have been Food and Drug Administration–approved for clinical imaging exploit various mechanisms of protein biochemistry and molecular biology to bring about their actions, such as amino acid metabolism, protein folding, receptor–ligand interactions, and surface transport mechanisms. In this review, we attempt to paint a clear picture of the basic biochemistry and molecular biology of protein structure, translation, transcription, posttranslational modifications, and protein targeting, in the context of the various radiopharmaceuticals currently used clinically, all in an easy-to-understand language for entry-level technologists in the field. Tracer characteristics, including indications, dosage, injection-to-imaging time, and the logic behind the normal and pathophysiologic biodistribution of these newer molecular tracers, are also discussed.