N-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)maleimide: an agent for high yield radiolabeling of antibodies

Abstract

In an effort to radiolabel antibodies, N-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)maleimide (m-[125I]IPM) was prepared by the demetallation of an N-[m-tri-(n-butyl)stannylphenyl]maleimide intermediate. The unlabeled intermediate was synthesized in greater than or equal to 75% yield using a palladium catalyzed reaction of hexabutylditin with m-bromoaniline, followed by reaction with maleic anhydride and ring annulation. All products were confirmed by NMR and elemental analysis. Labeling with 125I was carried out in a biphasic mixture containing chloramine-T (radiochemical yield greater than or equal to 70%). Rabbit IgG modified with the heterobifunctional crosslinking agent N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP) and bovine serum albumin were conjugated with m-[125I]IPM (yield: 40 and 80%, respectively). In addition, m-[125I]IPM was conjugated to rabbit IgG subunits (HL) in 70% yield. The in vitro stability of the radiolabeled proteins in serum showed less than 1% deiodination over 24 h.