AUTHOR=Li Nuan , Xue Le , Mai Xiaoli , Wang Peng , Zhu Chenzhuo , Han Xiaofeng , Xie Yuanyuan , Wang Bin , Ge Yuqing , Zhang Yewei , Sun Jianfei 

TITLE=Transfection of clMagR/clCry4 imparts MR-T2 imaging contrast properties to living organisms (E. coli) in the presence of Fe3+ by endogenous formation of iron oxide nanoparticles

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-biosciences/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2023.1119356

DOI=10.3389/fmolb.2023.1119356

ISSN=2296-889X

ABSTRACT=<p>Rapid development of medical imaging, such as cellular tracking, has increased the demand for “live” contrast agents. This study provides the first experimental evidence demonstrating that transfection of the <italic>clMagR/clCry4</italic> gene can impart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T<sub>2</sub>-contrast properties to living prokaryotic <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> (<italic>E. coli</italic>) in the presence of Fe<sup>3+</sup> through the endogenous formation of iron oxide nanoparticles. The transfected <italic>clMagR/clCry4</italic> gene markedly promoted uptake of exogenous iron by <italic>E. coli</italic>, achieving an intracellular co-precipitation condition and formation of iron oxide nanoparticles. This study will stimulate further exploration of the biological applications of <italic>clMagR/clCry4</italic> in imaging studies.</p>