title: Conformational exchange in pimonidazole--a hypoxia marker.
abstract: Pimonidazole is one of a series of nitroimidazole compounds that is widely used as a marker for qualitative and quantitative assessment of tumour hypoxia. We have observed a novel dynamic conformational exchange process in this molecule in aqueous solution. By a combination of 1H, 13C, two-dimensional 1H-1H EXchange SpectroscopY (EXSY) and spectral simulation, we unambiguously attribute the conformational exchange process to flipping of the six-membered heterocyclic ring.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group, The Institute of Cancer Research, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT, United Kingdom, UK.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gabellieri
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Eykyn
authors.forename: Martin O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Leach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D009593:Nitroimidazoles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009593:Nitroimidazoles; C033815:pimonidazole