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 jnmt.122.263847
DO 10.2967/jnmt.122.263847
A1 Krystle Worthington Glasgow
A1 Mike Dillard
A1 Eric Hertenstein
A1 Allen Justin
A1 Remo George
A1 Amy Byrd Brady
YR 2022
UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/early/2022/02/23/jnmt.122.263847.abstract
AB In recent years, there has been an influx of new tracers into the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Most of these tracers that have been FDA 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, post-translational 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.