A simple synthetic strategy is described to incorporate a protected diaminedithiol (N
2S
2) chelator duringFmoc solid-phase synthesis of short peptides. The resulting constructs could be efficiently labeledwith technetium-99m (
99mTc). The chelator was assembled at the N-terminus of peptides in a two-step procedure where the deprotected terminal amino group was first reacted with di
-Fmoc-diaminopropionic acid (Fmoc-DAP-[Fmoc]-OH). The two protected amino groups were then simultaneously deprotected and subsequently reacted with
S-benzoylthiolglycolic acid (TGA) to generate aprotected N
2S
2 chelator. This metal binding site was introduced into di- and tripeptides. Each peptideconstruct was composed of a C-terminal lysine residue and an N-terminal diaminopropionic moietymodified to create the chelator site. The
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BORDER=0 >-amino group at the C-terminal lysine was further derivatizedwith a nitroimidazole group to facilitate cellular retention. The resulting constructs were then cleavedfrom the resin support, purified, and labeled with [
99mTc]pertechnetate. Six constructs were prepareddiffering by a single amino acid inserted between the diaminopropionic acid and lysine residues.Optimal labeling yields of >70% were achieved around neutral pH and heating at 75
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C for 10 min.Purified
99mTc-labeled constructs were found to accumulate in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells invitro as a function of charge and hydrophobicity.