Title of Invention

A CHELATING AGENT

Abstract

This invention relates to a group of novel chelating agents, novel chelates, biomolecules labeled with said chelates or chelating agents as well as solid supports conjugated with said chelates, chelating agents or labeled biomolecules. Especially the invention relates to novel chelating agents useful in solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides or oligopeptides and the oligonucleotides and oligopeptides so obtained.

Full Text

WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 1 NOVEL CHELATING AGENTS AND HIGHLY LUMINESCENT AND STABLE CHELATES AND THEIR USE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a group of novel chelatlng agients, novel ehelates, biorrtolecul.es labeled with said chelates or chelating agents as well as solid supports conjugated with said chelates, chelating agents or labeled biomolecules. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention, and in particular, cases to provide additional details respecting the practice, are incorporated by reference. Because of their unique luminescence properties lanthanide(lll) chelates are of en used as non-radioaetive markers in a wide variety of routine arid research applications; Since lanthanide(III) chelates give strong, long de-cay-ttime luminescence, they are ideal labels for1 assays where high sensitivity is required. Time-resolved fluorometric assays based on lanthanide chelates have fdund increasing applications in diagnostics, research and high throughput screening. The heterogeneous DELFIA® technique is applied in assays requiring exceptional sensitivity, robustness and multi-label approach [Hemmila et al. Ami Biochetn. 1984, 137,335-343]. Development of highly luminescent stable chelates extends the use of time resolution to homogeneous assays, based on fluorescence resdnance energy transfer (TRfFRET), fluorescence quenching (TR-FQA) or changes in luminescence properties of a chelate during a binding reaction [Hemmila, I.; Mukkala, V.-M. Crit Rev. Clin. Lab. Sci. 2001,38,441-519]. Most commonly the conjugation reaction is performed in solution between an amino or mercapto group of a bioactive molecule (such as protein, peptide, nucleic acid, oligonudeotide or hapten) and isothiocyanato, haloace-tyl,3,5-dichloro-2,4,6-triazinyl derivatives of lanthanide(III) chelates, as well as other reporter groups. Since in all the cases the labeling reaction is performed with an excess of an activated label, laborious purification procedures cannot WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 2 be avoided. Especially, when attachment of several label molecules, or site-specific labeling in the presence of several functional groups of similar reactivities is required, the isolation and characterization of the desired biomolecuie conjugate is extremely difficult, and often practically impossible. Naturally, solution phase labeling of large biomolecules, such as proteins cannot be avoided. In these cases, the labeling reaction has to be as selective and effective as possible. A number of attempts have been made to develop new highly luminescent chelate labels suitable for time-resolved fluorometric applications. These include e.g. stabile chelates composed of derivatives of pyridines [US 4,920,195, US 4,801,722, US 4,761,481, PGT/FI91/00373, US 4,459,186, EP A-0770610, Remuinan et al, J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans 2, 1993, 1099], bipyridines [US 5,216,134], terpyridines [US 4,859,777, US 5,202,423, US 5,324,825] or various phenolic compounds [US 4,670,572, US 4,794,191,, Ital Pat. 42508 A789] as the energy mediating groups and polyearboxylic acids as chelating parts. In addition, various dicarboxylate derivatives [US 5,032,677, US 5,055,578, US 4,772,563] macrocyclic cryptates [US 4,927,923, WO 93/5049, EP-A-493745] and macrocyclic Schiff bases [EP-A-369-000] have been disclosed. Also a method for the labeling of biospecific binding reactant such as hapten, a peptide, a receptor ligand, a drug or'PNA oligomer with luminescent labels by using solid-phase synthesis has been published [US 6,080,839]. Similar strategy has also been exploited in multilabeling of oli-goriucleotides on sblfd phase [EP A1152010, EP A 1308452]. Although fluorescent rare earth chelates comprising arylpyridine diacid and aryl substituted 2,6-bis[N,N-di{carboxyaIkyl)aminoalkyI]pyridine moieties have been published [Hemmila et a!., J Biochem Biophys Methods 26; 283-90 (1993); US 4,761,481] the chelates or chelating agents described in the present invention herein have not been disclosed before. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide chelating agents and metal chelates thereof, useful for labeling biomolecules, for use as WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 3 probes in time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET). A particular object of this invention fs to provide a chelating agent which gives a very strong fluorescense with different cheiated lanthanide ions, particularly with europium (III), samarium (III), terbium (III) and dysprosium (III). Such lanthanide chelates are especially useful in multiparameter bioaffinity assays and in high-throughput screening of drug candidates. A further object of this invention is-to provide chelating agents giving rise to metal chelates of high stability. A particular object is to achieve chelates. with, strong stability enough for use in in vivo applications, for example in MRI or PET applications. A further object is to provide chelates or chelating agents suitable for labeling of biomoiecules as such in solution. Yet another object is to provide chelates suitable for labeling oli-gopeptjdes or oligonucleotides simultaneously with their synthesis on a solid phase. Yet another object is to provide a solid support conjugated with che-lates chelating agents or biomolecuJes according to this invention. Thus, according to one aspect this invention concerns a chelating agent comprising - a chromophorip moiety comprising two or more aromatic units, wherein at least one of the aromatic units is a trialkoxyphenylpyridyl group, where the alkoxy groups are the same or different, and the pyridyl groups are i) tethered directly to each other to form a bipyridyl or terpyridyl group, respec tively, or ii) tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains, - a chelating part comprising at least two carboxylic acid or phos- phonic acid groups, or esters or salts of said acids, attached to an aromatic unit of the chromophoric moiety, either directly or via an N-containing hydro carbon chain, and - optionally a reactive group A, tethered to the chromophoric moiety or to the chelating part either directly or via a linker x, said reactive group A enabling binding to a biomolecule or to a functional group on a solid phase. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 4 According to another aspect, the invention concerns a chelate comprising - a metal ion, - a chromophoric moiety comprising two or more aromatic units, wherejn at least one of the aromatic units is a triaikoxyphenyl pyridyl group, where the alkoxy groups are the same or different, and the pyridyl groups are i) tethered directly to each other to form a bipyridyl or terpyridyl group, respec tively, or ii) tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains, - a cheiating part comprising at least two carboxylic acid or phos- phonic add groups, or esters or salts of said acids, attached to an aromatic unit of the chromophoric moiety, either directly or via an N-containing hydro carbon chain, and optionally a reactive group A, tethered to the chromophoric moiety or to the chelating part either directly or via a linker x, said reactive group A enabling binding to a biomolecule of to a functional group on a solid phase. According to a third aspect, the invention concerns a biomolecule conjugated with a chelate according to this invention. According to, a fourth aspect, the invention concerns a biomolecule conjugated with a cheiating agent according to this invention. According to a fifth aspect, the invention concerns a solid support conjugated with a chelate or a labeled biomolecule according to this invention. According to a sixth aspect; this invention concerns a labeled oligopeptide, obtained by synthesis on a solid phase, by introduction of an appropriate ehelating agent according to this invention into the oligopeptide structure on an oligopeptide synthesizer, followed by deprotection and optionally also introduction of a metal ion. According to a seventh aspect, this invention concerns a labeled oligonucleotide; obtained by synthesis on a solid phase, by introduction of an appropriate cheiating agent according to this invention into the oligonucleotide structure on an oligonucleotide synthesizer, followed by deprotection and optionally also introduction of a metal ion. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 5 According to an eighth aspect, this Invention concerns a solid support conjugated with the chefating agent according to claim 1, suitable for use in the synthesis of an oligonucleotide, wherein the reactive group A is connected to the chelating agent via a linker x, and A is -E-O-x'- where x' is a linker connected to a solid support, and is the same or different as the linker x E is absent or is a radical of a purine or pyrimidine or any other modified base suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides, said base being connected to the oxygen atom via either i) a hydrocarbon chain, which is substituted with a protected hy- droxyethyl group, or via ii) a furan ring or pyrane ring or any modified furan or pyrane ring, suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Chelating agents Chelating agents and metal chelates based thereon where the chromophoric moiety, which most commonly is a bivalent aromatic structure comprising one or more trialkoxyphenyl pyridyl groups, are new. The trialkoxy-phenyl pyridyl group is capable of absorbing light or energy and transferring the excitation energy tp the cheiated lanthanide ion, giving rise to a strong fluo-rescense irrespective of the lanthanide ion used. In addition to the trialkoxy-phenyl pyridyl group or groups, the chromophoric unit may comprise unsubsti-tuted pyridyl groups, pyridyl groups bearing other substituents and/or other aromatic groups. In the compounds demonstrated by specific examples herein, the 4-position of the pyridyl group bears the trialkoxyphenyl substituent. Although this position is believed to be the most preferable, other positionis of the pyri-dine ring may also be useful for substitution. Preferably, the alkoxy groups are C1-C4 alkoxy groups. WO 2005/058877 PCT/F12004/000680 6 According to a preferable embodiment, the chromophorie moiety comprises two or three pyridyl groups, wherein at least one of them is substituted with a trtalkoxyphenyl group. These pyridyl groups can be tethered directly to each other to form a bipyridyl or terpyridyl group, respectively. Alternatively,, and more preferably, the pyridyl groups are tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains. The N-containing hydrocarbon chain shall be understood as a chain containing no other heteroatoms than N or no aromatic groups. In this case chelates with very good stability can be obtained. Chelat-ing agents of this structure give metal chelates stable enough also for in vivo use in MRI and/or PET applications. In case the Chelating part is attached to the aromatic unit of the chromophorie moiety, it Can be attached to the pyridine ring or to a substituent thereon such as the pheriyl group. The chelating agent or ch elate must bear a reactive group A in order to enable covalent binding of the chelating agent or chelate to a biomole-cule or to a solid support. However, there exist applications where no such covalent binding is necessary. Chelating compounds of this invention can also be used in applications where no reactive group in the chelate is needed. One example of this kind of technology is demonstrated e.g. in Blomberg, et al., J. Immunological Methods, 1996, 193, 199. Another example where no reactive group A is needed is the separation of eosinophilic and basophilic cells. In this application positively and negatively charged chelates bind negatively and positively charged cell surfaces, respectively. Although that a reactive group A in principle in many applications could be attached direcfly to the chromophorie group or to the chelating part, it is highly desirable, especially for steric reasons, to have a linker x between the reactive group A and the chromophorie group or chelating part, respectively. The linker is especially important in case the chelate shall be used in solid phase syntheses of oligopeptides and oligonucieotides, but it is desirable also in labeling biomolecules in solution. According to a preferable embodiment, the reactive group A is selected from the group consisting of isothiocyanate, haioacetamido, maleimido, WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 7 dichlorotriazinyl, dichlorotriazinylamino, pyridyldithio, thioester, aminooxy, hy-drazide, arnino, a polymerizing group, and a carboxylic acid or acid halide or an active ester thereof. Particularly in case the chelate or chelating agent shall be attached to microparticle or nanoparticle it is preferable to have a reactive group which is a polymerizing group. In this case the label can be introduced in the particle during the manufacturing of the particles. The linker x is preferably formed from one to ten moieties, each moiety being selected from the group consisting of phenylene, alkylene containing 1-12 carbon atoms, ethynydiyl (-C=C-), ethylenediyl (-C=C-), ether (-0-), thioether (-S-), amide (-CO-NH-, -CO-NR'-, NH-CO and -NR'-CO), carbonyl (-CO-), ester (-COO- and -OOC-), disulfide (-SS-), diaza (-N=N-), and tertiary amine, wherein R' represents an alkyl group containing less than 5 carbon atoms. According to a particularly preferable embodiment, the chelating agent is one of the following specific structures: WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 8 where Z1, Z2 and, Z3 are same or different alkyl groups; R6 is an alkyl ester or ailyl ester; R7 is an alkyl group and n is 0 or 1. Chelating agents for use in peptide synthesis According to one preferred embodiment, the ehelating agent according to this invention is suitable for use in the synthesis of an oligopeptide. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 9 In this: application, the reactive group A is connected to the chelating agent via a linker x, and A is an amino acid residue -CH(NHR1)R5 where R1 is a transient protecting group and R5 is a carboxylic acid or its salt, acid halide or an ester. Particularly preferable chelafing agents are the structures wherein x is as defined before and the protecting group R1 is selected from a group consisting of Fmoc (fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl), Boc (tert- WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 10 butyloxycarbonyl), or Bsmoc (1,1-dioxobenzo[b]thiophen-2- ylmethyloxycarbonyl), and R8 is an afkyl ester or an allyl ester and R7 is an alkyl group, and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are alkyl groups, same or different, and n is 0 or 1. The chelating agent can be introduced into biomolecules with the aid of peptide synthesizer. The chelating agent dan be coupled to an amino tethered solid support or immobilized amino acid e.g. by carbodiimide chemistry (i.e. the carboxylic acid function of the labeling reagent reacts with the ami-no group of the solid support or amino acid in the presence of an activator). When the condensation step is completed the transient amino protecting group of the labeling reagent is selectively removed while the material is still attached to the solid support (e.g with piperidine in the case of Fmoc-protecting group). Then second coupling of a chelating agent or other reagent (amino acid, hap-ten) is performed as above. When the synthesis of the desired molecule is completed, the material is detached from the solid support and deprotected. Purification can be performed by HPLC techniques. Finally the purified ligand is converted to the corresponding lanthanide(III) chelate by addition of known amount of lanthanide(lll) ion. Chelating agents for use in oligonucleotide synthesis According to another preferred embodiment, the chelating agent according to this invention is suitable for use in the synthesis of an oligonucleotide. In this case the reactive group A is connected to the chelating agent via a linker x, and A is -E-O-PZ-O-R4 where one of the oxygen atoms optionally is replaced by sulfur, Z is chloro or NR2R3, R4 is a protecting group, R2 and R3 are alkyl groups, and E is absent or is a radical of a purine base or a pyrimidine base or any other modified base suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides. Said base is connected to the oxygen atom either via i) a hydrocarbon .chain, which is substituted with a protected hydroxyelhyl group, or via ii) a furan ring or pyrane WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 11 ring or any modified furan or pyrane ring, suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides. The chelating agent can be introduced into oligonudeotides with the aid of oligonucleotide synthesizer. A useful method, based on a Mitsonobu al-kyiation (J Org Chem, 1999, 64, 5083; Nucleosides, Nucleotides, 1999, 18, 1339) is disclosed in EP-A-1152010. Said patent publication discloses a method for direct attachment of a desired number of conjugate groups to the oli-gonucleotide structure during chain assembly. Thus solution phase labeling and laborious purification procedures are avoided. The key reaction in the synthesis strategy towards hucleosidic oligonucleotide building blocks is the aforementioned Mitsunobu alkylation which allows introduction of various che-fating agents to the nucleoside, and finally to the oligonudeotide structure. The chelating agents are introduced during the chain assembly. Conversion to the lantbanide chelate takes place after the synthesis during the deprotection steps. Normal, unmodified oligonudeotides have low stability under physiological conditions because of its degradation by enzymes present in the living cell. It may therefore be desirable to create a modified oligonucleotide according to known methods so as to enhance its stability against chemical and enzymatic degradation. Modifications of oligonudeotides are extensively disclosed in prior art. Reference is made to US 5,612,215. It is known that removal or replacement of the 2'-OH group from the ribose unit in an RNA chain gives a better stability. WO 92/07065 and US 5,672,695 discloses the re: placement of the ribose 2'-OH group with halo, amino, azidb or sulfhydryl groups. US 5,334,711 disclose the replacement of hydrogen in the 2'-OH group by alkyl or alkenyl, preferably methyl or allyl groups. Furthermore, the in-ternucleotidic phosphodiester linkage can, for example, be modified so that one or more oxygen is replaced by sulfur, amino, alkyl or alkoxy groups. Preferable modifications in the internucleotide linkages are phosphorothioate linkages. Also the base in the nucleotides can be modified. Preferably E is a radical of any of the bases thymine, uracil, adeno-sine, guanine or cytosine, and said base is connected to the oxygen atom via i) WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 12 a hydrocarbon chain, which is substituted with a protected hydroxyethyl group, or via ii) a furan ring having a protected hydroxyethyl group in its 4-position and optionally a hydroxyl, protected hydroxyl or modified hydroxyl group in its 2-positipn. Preferably a reactive group -E-O-P(NR2R3)-O-R4 has a structure selected from one of the following structures: where - is the.position of the linker x and DMTr is dimethoxytrityl. A particularly preferable chelating agent is selected from one of the specific structures disclosed below WO 2005/058877 PCT/F12004/000680 13 where R6 is an alkyl ester or an allyl ester and R7 is an alkyl group and wherein x is as defined before and A is -E-O-P(NR2R3)-O-R4 as defined above and Z1 Z2 and Z3are the same or different alkyl groups, and n is 0 or 1. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 14 Chelates The chelates comprise a chelating agent as described above and a cheiated metal Ion. In case the chelate is to be used in bioaffinity assays, the cheiated metal ion is preferably a lanthanide, especially europium(Ill), samarium(lll), terbium(III) or dysprosium{lll). The chelating agent is preferably one of the preferable agents mentioned above. Particularly preferable lanthanide chelates are WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 15 where Z1 ,Z2 and Z3 are the same or different alkyl groups, and n is 0or1. The chelates. according to this invention can also be used in vivo in MRI applications or in PET applications. A preferable metal to be used in MRI is gadolinium. In PET applications a radioactive metal isotope is introduced in- WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 16 to the chelating agent just before use. Particularly suitable radioactive isotopes are Ga-66, Ga-67, Ga-68, Cr-51, ln-111, Y-90, Ho-166, Sm-153, Lu-177, Er-169, Tb-161, Dy-165, Ho-16fi, Ce-134, Nd-140,, Eu-157, Er-165, Ho-161, Eu-147, Tm-167 and Co-57. In order to obtain very stable chelates, it is preferable to have a chromophoric moiety where there are several pyridyl groups tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains. Biomoiecules The bloomolecule conjugated with a chelating agent or a chelate according to this invention is preferably an oligopeptide, oligonucleotide, DNA, RNA, modified oligp- or polynucleotide, such as phosphoromonothioate, phos-phorodithioate, phosphoroamidate and/or sugar- or basemodified oligo- or polynucleotide, protein, oligosaccaride, poJysaccaride, phospholipide, PNA, LNA, antibody, hapten, drug, receptor binding ligand and lectine. Solid support conjugates The chelates, chelating agents and biomoiecules according to this invention may be conjugated on a solid support. The solid support is preferably a particle such as a microparticle or nanopartide, a slide or a plate. In case the chelate or chelating agent has a polymerizing group as reactive group, then the chelate or chelating agent may be introduced in the solid support, for example a particle, simultaneously with the preparation of the particles. The biomolecule conjugated with the solid support, either covalently or noncovalently is preferable a labeled oligopeptide, obtained by synthesis on a solid phase, by introduction of a chelating agent into the oligopeptide structure on an oligopeptide synthesizer, followed by deprotection and optionally introduction of a metal ion. Alternatively, the biomolecule conjugated with the solid support, either covalently or noncovalently is preferable a labeled oligonu-cleotide, obtained by synthesis on a solid phase, by introduction of a chelating agent into the oligonuciedfide structure on an ollgonucleotide synthesizer, followed by deprotection and optionally introduction of a metal ion. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 17 A solid support conjugated with a ehelating agent having a reactive group A which is connected to the ehelating agent via a linker x, and A is -E-O-x'- as defined before, Is suitable for use in oligonucleotide syntheses. The invention, will be illuminated by the following non-restrictive Examples. EXAMPLES The invention is further elucidated by the following examples. The structures and synthetic routes employed in the experimental part are depicted in Schemes 1-7. Scheme 1 illustrates the synthesis of the oligopeptide labeling reactant 4. The experimental details are given in Examples 1-4. Scheme 2 illustrates the synthesis of the chelates 6-11. Experimental details are given in Examples 6-11. Scheme 3 illustrates the synthesis of the chelates 20, 22 and 23,. Experimental details are given in Examples 12-23. Scheme 4 illustrates the synthesis of the building block 29 designed for the introduction of lanthanide chefates to the oligonucletides on solid phase as well as synthesis of the chelates 30 and 31, Experimental details are given in Examples 24-31. Schemes 5 and 6 illustrate the use of building blocks 4 and 29 in the preparation of synthetic oligopeptides and oiigonucletides, respectively on solid phase. Experimental details are given in Examples 32 and 33. Scheme 7 illustrates the preparation of oligonucleotide labeling reagents based on 1j4,7-triazecane. Experimental details are given in Example 34. Photochemical properties of illustrative examples of the chelates synthesized are collected in Table 1. Experimental procedures Reagents for machine assisted oligopeptide synthesis were purchased from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, CA). Adsorption column chro-matography was performed on qolumns packed with silica gel 60 (Merck). NMR spectra were recorded either on a Brucker 250 or a Jeol LA-400 spectrometers operating at 250.13 and 399.8 MHz for 1H, respectively. Me4Si was used as an internal reference. Coupling constants are given in Hz. IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin Elmer 2000 FT-1R spectrophotometer. Electrospray WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 18 mass spectra were recorded on an Applied Biosystems Mariner ESI-TOF instrument. Oligopeptides were assembled on an Applied Biosystems 433A Synthesizer and oligonucleotides on an Applied Biosystems Expedite instrument using recommended protocols. Fluorescence spectra were recorded on a PerkinElmer LS 55 instrument The syntheses of the compounds are carried out as outlined in Schemes 1 to 7 below. Example 1 The synthesis of tetra(tertbutyl) 2I2',2",2"4[6-N-(4- methoxytrityl)aminohexyI-imino]bis(methylene)bis[4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridine-6,2-diyilbis (methylenenitrilo)}tetrakis(acetate) 1. Tetra(tert-butyl)2,2',2",2"'-([6-N-(4- methoxytrityI)hexylimino]pis(methylene)bis-(4-bromopyridine-6,2-diyl)bis(methylenenitrilo)}tetrakis(acetate) (4.0 g, 2.4 mmol) and trimethoxy-phenylboronic acid (1,1 g, 5.3 mmol) were dissolved in dry DMF (50 mL) and CS2OO3 (2.0 g» 6.0 mmol) and Pd(PPh3)4 (0.1 g, 96 µmol) were added. After stirring overnight at 95°, trimethoxyphenylboronic acid (0.5 g, 2.4 mmot), Cs2CO3 (0.79 g, 2mmol) and Pd(PPh3)4 (50 mg, 43 mmol) were added. After overnight reaction the mixture was cooled to room temperature, filtered and evaporated. The mixture was dissolved in CH2CI2 and washed with water (2 • 40 ml). The product was purified by flash chromatography (silica gel, petroleum ether (40-60°)/AcOEt/TEA 5:2:1, v/v/v). Yield was 3.1 g (90 %). IR (film): 1737 (C=O), 1128 (C-O). 1H MMR (CDC13): d 1.15-1.25 (4H, m); 1.40-1.45 (40 H, rn); 2.04 (2H, t, J 6); 2.55 (2H, t, J 7); 3.50 (1H, s); 3.51 (3H, s). ESI-MS: P+H]+1417.5 calc. for C82H109NBO15+1417.8. Example 2 The synthesis of tetra(tert-butyi) 2,2',2",2"'-{(6- aminohexylimino)bis(methyiene)-bis[4-(2,4,6'-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridine-612-diyi]bis(methylenenitrilo)}tetrakis- (acetate) 2 WO 2005/058877 PCT/F12004/000680 19 Compound 1 (1.0 g, 0.7 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (25 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.25 ml_) was added. After stirring for 4 hours at ambient temperature the mixture was washed with sat. NaHCO3 (2 • 50 mL). The organic phase was dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated. The product was purified by flash chfofdatography (silica gel, petroleum ether (40-60°)/AcOEt/TEA 5:5:1, 2:5:1 and finally 1O % MeOH, 1% TEA in CH2CI2). Yield was 0.60 g (74 %). IR (film): 1730 (C=O), 1128 (C-O). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1145.7 calc. for C82HiogN6015+1145.7; [M+2H]2+ 573.3, calc. 573.3. Example 3 The synthesis of the allyl protected oligopeptide labeling reactant 3 Compound 2 (0.55 g, 0.48 rnmol) was dissolved in dry dichloro-methane (5 mL). DCC (0.11 g, 0.53 mrnol) and Fmoc-Glu-OAII (0.20 g, 0.48 mmol) were added, and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. DCU formed was filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Purification on silica gel (10% MeOH in dichloromethane) yielded the title compound as a solid (3Q0 mg). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1536.8 calc. for C85H114N7O19+ 1536.8. Example 4 The synthesis of the oligopeptida labeling reactant 4. Compound 3, (157 mg, 0.1 rnmol) was dissolved in dry dichloromethane (2 mL). Pd(Ph3P)4 (2.3 mg) and PhSiH3 (25 µL) were added, and the mixture was stirred overnight at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was then washed with 10% aq. citric acid and dried over molecular sieves. Yield Was 95 mg (63%). ESI-MS: [M-*-H]+ 1496.8 calc for C82H110N7O19+ 149.6.8. Example 5 The synthesis of free acid 5 Compound 1 (0.40 g, 0.28 mmol) was dissolved In trifluoroacetic acid (10 mL), stirred for 1 h at room temperature and concentrated. The residue was triturated with diethyl ether. The product was collected by filtration WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 20 and dried. Yield was 260 mg (100%). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 921.42 calc. for C46H61N6O14+921.4. Example 6 The synthesis of the terbium chelate 6. Compound 5 (78 mg, 0.085 mmol) was dissolved in water (2 rnl_) and terbium(lll) chloride (35 mg, 0.093 mmol) was added during 15 min at pH 6.5. After 2 h at room temperature pH of the reaction mixture was increased to 8.5 by addition of 1 M NaOH. The precipitation formed was removed by cen-trifugation, the aqueous phase was concentrated and the product was precipitated with acetone. ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1075.9 calc. for C46H55N6O14Tb-1075.3. Example 7 The synthesis of the dysprosium chelate 7. Synthesis Was performed as in Example 6 but using dysprosium(llI) chloride. ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1080.3 calc. for C46H55N6O14Dy 1080.2. Example 8 The synthesis of the europium chelate 8 Synthesis was performed as in Example 6 but using europium(lll) chloride. ESI-MS; [M+Hf 1092.3 calc. for C46H55N6O14Eu" 1092.3. Example 9 The synthesis of the iodoacetamido activated dysprosium chelate 9 Compound 7 (16 mg, 14.3 µmol) was dissolved in water, lodoacetic anhydride (51.3 mg, 0.145 mmol; predlssolved in 0.2 mL of chloroform) and DIPEA (25 µL) were added and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 h at room temperature. The organic phase was removed, and the product was isolated from the aqueous phase by precipitation from THF. ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1248.2 calc. for C48H57N6O15IDy 1248.2. Example 10 The synthesis of the iodoacetamido activated terbium chelate 10 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 21 Activation of compound 6 as described in Example 9 yielded compound 10. ESI-MS: [M+H]+1243.8 cate. for C48H57N6Oi5ITb-1243.8. Example 11 The synthesis of the isothiocyaiano activated europium chelate 11. Compound 8 (15 mg, 0.014 mmol) was dissolved in the mixture of pyridine, water and triethyiamine (200 µl 9:1.5:0.1; v/v/v). 1,4-phehylenediisothiocyanate (7.9 mg) was added and the mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature. Example 12 The synthesis of diethyl 4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylaie 12 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyIboronic acid (2.12 g, 10.0 mmol) and diethyl 4-bromopyridihe-2,6-dicarboxylate (3.33 g, 11.0 mmol) were dissolved in dry DMF (50 mL). Caesium carbonate (4.56 g, 14.0 mmol) and tetra-kis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(0) (0.23 g, 0.20 mmol) were added, and the mixture was deaerated with argon. The mixture was heated at 95 °C for 48 h. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo, the residue was dissolved in chloroform (60 mL) and washed with 10% aq. citric acid and water, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated. Purification was performed on silica gel (eluent petroleum ether bp 40-60 °C; ethyl acetate 5:3 -> 2:5, v/v). Yield was 2.09 g (54%). 1H NMR (CDCI3): d 1.45 (6H, t, J 7.1); 3J4 (6H, s); 3.90 (3H, s); 4,49 (4H, q, J7.1); 6.22 (2H, s); 8.28 (2H, s). IR (film)/ cm'1 1743, 1610 (C=O); 1339, 1238, 1128 (C-O). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 390.19 calc. for C20H24NO7+ 390.15. Example 13 The synthesis of 4-(2,46'-trimethoxyphenyl)-6-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid athyl ester 13 Compound 12 (2.83 g, 7.27 mmol) was suspended in ethanol (140 mL), and the mixture was heated to 45 °C. Sodium borohydride (0.29 g) was added, and the mixture, was strirred for 1 h and allowed to cool to room tern- WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 22 perature. pH of the solution was adjusted to, 3 with 6 M HCI and concentrated. The residue was suspended in dichloromethane and washed with sat. Na-HCO3. The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4 and purified on silica gel (eluent petroleum ether bp 40-50 °C:ethyl acetate:triethylamine, 2:5:1; v/v/v). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 348.14 calc, for C18H22NO6+ 348.14. Example 14 The synthesis of 4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyI)-6- (bromqmethyl)pyridine-2-carboxyIic acid ethyl ester 14 Phosphorus trichloride (0.778 g, 2.87 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMF (10 ml_) atO 'C. Compound 13 (1.0 g, 2.8 mmol) was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3.5 h before being neutralized with sat. NaHCO3. The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried, concentrated and purified on silica gel using (eluent 1% et-hanol in dichloromethane). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 410.10 calc. for Ci8H2iBrNO5+410.05. Example 15 The synthesis of N-(2-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)ethyl)-6- (hydroxymethyI)4-(2,4,6-trimethoxypheriyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide15 Compound 13 (1.0 g, 2.8 mmol) was dissolved in ethyJenediamine (10 mL), stirred for 2.5 h at room temperature and concentrated (oil pump). The residue was dissolved in DMF (25 ml_) and ethyl trifluoroacetate (5 mL) was added. After 2 h at room temperature all volatiles were removed in vacuo, and the residue was purified on silica gel (eluent 10% MeOH in dichloromethane. ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 458.14 calc. for C20H23F3N3O6+ 458.15. Example 16 The synthesis of N-(2-(212,2-trifluoroacetamido)ethyl)-6- (bromomethyl)-4-(2(4i6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide 16 Bromination of compound 15 as described in Example 14 yielded the title compound. ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 520.06 calc. for C20H22BrF3N3O5+ 520.07 WO2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 23 Example 17 The synthesis of di-tert-butyl 7-((6-(2-(2,2,2- trifluoroacetamido)ehylcarbamoy)-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridin2-yl)methyl)-1,4,7-triazonane-1,4-dicarboxy!ate 17 [1,4,7]triazacycIononane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid di-tert-butyl ester (0.75 g; 2.3 mmol) and Compound 16 (2.3 mmol) were dissolved in dry DMF (60 mL). 2.0 ml of DlPEA (11.4 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Solvent was evaporated to dryness and product was purified on silica gel (eluent diethyl ether). Yield was 1.20 g. ESI-MS: IM+Hf 769.34 calc. forC36H52F3N6O9+ 769.37 Example 18 The synthesis of 6-((1,4l7-triazonan-1-yl)rnethyl)-N-(2-(2,2,2- trifluoroacetamido)-ethyI)-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridine-2-carboxamide18 Compound 17 (1.0 g; 1.3 mmol) was dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid (25 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 rnin. Solvent was evaporated to dryness. ESI-MS; [M+H]+ 569.28 calc. for C26H36F3N6O5+ 569.27 Example 19 The synthesis of ethyl 6-((4-((6-(2-(2,2,2- trifluoroacetamido)ethytearbamoyi)-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-7-((6-(ethoxycarbonyl)-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-2- yl)methyl)-1,4,7-triazonan-1-yl)methyl)-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridine-2-carboxylate 19 Compounds 18 (0,39 g; 0.7 mmol) and 14 (0.43 g; 1.4 mmol) were dissolved in dry acetohitrile (20 mL). K2eO3 (0.48g; 3.5 mmoi) was added and the mixture was refluxed for 3 hours. The precipitation was filtered off and the solvent was evaporated. The product was purified on silica gel (10% EtOH/CH2CI2). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1227.4 calc. for C62F3N6O15+ 1227.5 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 24 Example 20 The synthesis of 6-({4-((6-{2-aminoethylcarbamoyl)-4-(2,4,6- trimethoxyphenyl)-pyridin-2-yl)methyI)-7'-((6-carboxy-4-(2>4)6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-2-yl)methy!)-1,4l7-triazonan-1-yl)methyl)-4-(2l4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridiner2-carboxyliG acid dysprosium (III) 20 Compound 19 Was dissolved in methanolic 0.1 M potassium hydroxide and stirred for 4 h at room temperature. All volatiles were removed in va-cuo.Treatrrient of the residue with dysprosium chloride yielded the title compound ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1239.1 calc. for C56H66DyN8O14+ 238.4 Example 21 the synthesis of ethyl 6-((4,7-bis((6-(ethoxycarbonyl)-4-(2,4,6- trimetfidxyphenyl)-pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-1I4I7-triazonan-1-yl)methyl)-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-pyridine-2rcafboxylate21 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (31.5 mg) and compound 14 (0.3 g, 0.76 mmol) were dissolved in dry acetounitrile (20 mL) Potassium carbonate (0.17 g) was added and the mixture was refluxed overnight. The mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, filtered and concentrated. Purification on silica gel (eiuent CH2Cl2:EtOH: HGAc; 80:20:1, v/v/v) yielded the title compound (0.17 g, 62 %). ESI-MS: [M+H] 1117.5 calc. for C60H37N6O15+ 1117.5 Example 22 The synthesis of 6-((4I7-bis((6-carboxy-4-(2,4,6- trimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-1v4>7-triazonan-1-yl)methyl)-4-(2J4>6-trimettioxypheny))pyridine-2-carboxyjic acid dysprosium(IH) 22 Deprotection of Gompound 21 followed by treatment with dysprosium chloride as described in Example 20 yielded the title compound. Example 23 The synthesis of 6-((4,7-bis((6-carboxy-4-(2.4,6- trimethoxyphenyI)pyridin-2-yl}methyl)-1,4,7-frjazonan-1-yl)methyl)-4-(2,4,6--trimethoxyphehy1)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid terbium(lll) 23 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2OO4/O00680 25 Deprotection, of compound 21 followed by treatment with terbium chloride as described in Example 20 yielded the title compound. Example 24 The synthesis of 2-dimethyl-4-brorno-6-bromomethyl-2-pyridylmethylimino-(diacetate) 24 4-brorno-2,6-bis(bromomethyi)pyridine (2.66 gT 7.7 mmol) and imi-noacetic acid dimethyl ester (1.24 g, 7.7 mmol) were dissolved in dry acetoni-trile (60 mL) at 60 °C. Potassium carbonate (5.3 g) was added, and the mixture was stirred for 40 min before being cooled to room temperature, filtered and concetrated. The residue was dissolved in dichlorbmethane, washed twice with water and dried over N32SO4. Purification on silica gel (eluent petroleum ether bp 40-60 °O: ethyl acetate; from 10:1 to 5:1; v/v) yielded the title compoud (1.45 g). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 424.06; calcd. for C13H17Br2N2O4+424.09. Example 25 The synthesis of 2f2',2",2""-{[6-hydroxyhexylimino]- bis(methyIene)bis(4-bromo)pyridine-6,2-diyl)bis(methylenenitrilo)}tetrakis(aeetic add) tetra(methyl ester) 25. Compound 24 (2.8 g, 6.6 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMF. DIPEA (6.0 mL, 34.0 mmoi) and 6-amino-1-hexanol (0.2 g, 3.6 mmol) were added, and the reaction mixture was stirred at 60 °C for 4 hours before being evaporated to dryness. The, residue was dissolved in CH2GI2 (30 mL) and was washed twice with water. The organic phase was dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated to dryness. The product was purified by silica gel chromatography (0 to 3 % MeOH in CH2GI2) to yield 2.4 g (91%) of Compound 25. ESI-MS: [M+Hf 802.16; calcd. for C32H46Br2N6O9+ 802.22. Example 26 The synthesis of 2,2',2',2'"-{[6-(- methoxytrityloxyhexylimiino]bis(methylene)bis(4-bromo)pyridine-6,2-diyl)bis(methylenenitrilo)}tetrakis(acetic acid) tetra(methyl ester) 26. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 2S Compound 25 (1.0 g, 1.24 rnmol) was dissolved in pyridine (30 mL), MMTr-chloride (0.57 g, 1.86 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in CH2CI2 and washed with saturated NaHCO3. The organic phase was dried over Na2SO4, and evaporated to dryness. The product was purified by silica cjel chrbrnatography (petroleum ether / AcOEt v/v, 5 M -> 5 / 1 -> 1 / 1 to yield 1.0 g (75 %) of Compound 26. ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 1074.28; calcd. for C52H6iBr2N5O10+1074.27. Example 27 The synthesis of 2,2',2",2'"-{[6-(methoxytrityl)oxyhexylirnino]bis(methylene)bis(4-(2I416-trimethoxyphenyI)pyridine-6,2-d!yl)bis(methyienenitriIo)}tetrakis(aceticacid)tet-ra(methyl ester) 27. Reaction between Compound 27 and trimethoxyphenylboronic acid as described in Example 1 yielded the title compound. Yield was 97%. ESI-MS; [M+Hf 1250.66 calcd. for G7oH84N5Oi6+1250.59. Example 28 The synthesis of 2,2',2",2'"-{[6- (hydroxyhexylimino]bis(rnethylene)bis(4-(2,4,6rtrim6thoxyprienyI)pyridine-6,2-diyi)bis(methylenenftrilo)}tetrakis(acetic acid) tetra(methyl ester) 28. Compound 27 (0.8 g, 0.64 mmol) was dissolved in, 5% (v/v) solution of TFA in dichloromethane (16 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Methanbl (1,0 mL) was added and the mixture was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in dichloromethane and was washed with saturated NaHCOa The organic phase was dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated to dryness. The product was purified by silica gel chromatography to yield 0.4 g (64%) of Compound 28. ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 978.53 calcd. for C50H68N5O15+ 978.46. Example 29 Synthesis of the phosphoramidite 29 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2O04/00O68O 27 Compound 28 (0.35 g, 0.36 mmol) was evaporated to dryness three times from dry acetonitrile and dissolved to the same solvent. 2-cyanoethyl tet-raisopropylphophor-diamidite (171 pL, 0.54 mmol) and tetrazole (0.45 M in acetonitrile; 800 µL, 0.36 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was shaken at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was poured into saturated NaHCO3 (5 rnL) and the stirred vigorously. Diehloromethane was added, and the organic phase was dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated to dry-ness. The product was purified by silica gel chromatography (petroleum ether / AcOEt / triethylamine v/v/v, 2/5/1) to yield 0.20 g (47%) of Compound 29. Example 30 The synthesis of 2,2',2",2"'-{[S- (hydroxyhexylimind]bis(methylene)bis(4-(2l4,6-trimethoxyphenyI)pyridine-6I2-diy!)bis(methyJenenitrilo,)}tetrakis(acetic acid) terbium (III) 30. Deprotection of compound 28 followed by treatment with terbium chloride as described in Example 20 yielded the title compound. ESI-MS: [M+Hf 1076.24; calcd. for C46H65N5C15TB 1076.30 Example 31 The synthesis of 2,2',2",2'"-{[6- (hydroxyhexyliminolbis(methylenel)bis(4-(2,4i6-frimethoxyphenyi)pyridine-6,2-diyl)bis(methylenenitrilo)}tetrakis(acetic acid) dysprosium(lll) 31. Deprotection of compound 28 followed by treatment with dysprosium chloride as described in Example 20 yielded the title compound. ESI-MS: [M+Hf 1081.31; caicd. for C46H5sNsO15Dy- 1081.30. Example 32 i Synthesis of oligppeptides on solid phase using block 4 Introduction of a larithanide(lll) chelate to the oligopeptide structure using compound 4 was performed using methods described in Peuralahti et al, Bidconjugate Chem., 13,, 2002, 870. Accordingly, the oligopeptide was synthesized in conventional manner, and the reactant 4 was coupled to amino WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 28 terminus. Deprotectiori, conversion to the corresponding lanthanide(lli) chelate and purification was performed as described. Example 33 Synthesis of oligonucleotides on solid phase using block 29 Introduction of a lanthariide(III) chelate to the oligonucleotide structure using compound 29 was performed using methods described in Hovinen and Hakala, Org. Lett, 3, 2001, 2473. Accordingly, the oligonucleotide was synthesized in conventional manner, and the reactant 50 was coupled to its 5"-terminus. Deprotection, convertion to the corresponding lanthanide(lll) chelate and purification, was performed as.described. Example 34 The synthesis of 9-[(trity[oxy)rnethyl]-1,4,7-triazecane 1,4,7-tris-(2- nitrobenzenesulfonamide ,32. 2-((trityloxy)methyI)propane-1,3-diol (1.0 mmol), 2- nitrobenzenesuifonyl protected ettiylene triamine (1.0 mmo|) and triphenyl-phosphine (3.0 mmol) were dissolved in dry THF (5 mL). DIAD (3.0 mmol) was added jn four portions during 15 min, and the reaction was allowed to proceed at room temperature overnight All volatiles were removed in vacuo, and the residue was precipitated from diethyl ether. The precipitate was redissolyed in dichloromethane, and the product was isolated on silica gel column (eluent 0.5 % MeOH in CH2CI2; v/v). ESI-MS: [M+H]+ 971.21; calcd. for C45H43N6Oi3S3+ 971.20. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 29 PCT/F12004/000680 WO 2005/058877 30 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 31 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 32 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 33 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 34 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 35 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 36 WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 37 CLAIMS 1. A chelating agent comprising - a chromophoric moiety comprising two or more aromatic units, wherein at least one of the aromatic units is a trialkoxyphenylpyridyl group, where the alkoxy groups are the same or different, and the pyridyl groups are i) tethered directly to each other to form a bipyridyl or terpyridyl group, respec tively, or ii) tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains, - a chelating part comprising at least two carboxylie acid or phos- pti'onic acid groups or esters or salts of said acids, attached to an aromatic unit of the chromophoric moiety, either directly or via an N-containing hydro carbon chain, and - optionally a reactive group A, tethered to the chromophoric moiety or to the chelating part either directly or via a linker x, said reactive group A enabling binding either to a biomolecule or to a functional group on a solid phase. 2. The chelating agent according to claim 1 wherein the pyridyl groups of chromophoric mojety are tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains. 3. The chelating agent according to claim 1 wherein a reactive group A is connected to the chelating agent via a linker x. 4. The chelating agent according to claim 1 wherein the linker x is formed from one to ten moieties, each moiety being selected from the group consisting of phenylene, alkylene containing 1-12 carbon atoms, ethynydiyl (- C=C-), ethylsnediyl (-OC-), ether (-O-), thioether (-S-), amide (-CO-NH-, -CO- NR'-, NH-CO and -NR'-CO-), carbonyl (-CO-), ester (-COO- and -OOC-), di- sulfide (-SS-), diaza' (-N=N-), and tertiary amine, wherein R' represents an al- kyl'group containing less than 5 carbon atoms. 5. The chelating agent according to claim 1 wherein the reactive group A is selected from the group consisting of isothiocyanate, haloacetami- do.maleimido, dichlorotriazinyl, dichldrotriazinylamino, pyridyldithio, thioester, WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2O04/OOO680 38 aminooxy, hydrazlde, amino, a polymerizing group, and a carboxylic acid or or acid halide or an active ester thereof. 6. The chelating agent according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of WO 2005/058877 PCT/FIZ004/000680 39 where Z\ Z2 and Z3 are the same or different alkyl groups; R6 is an alkyl ester or allyl ester; R7 is.an alkyl group and n is 0 or 1. 7. The cheiating agent according to claim 1, suitable for use in the synthesis of an oligopeptide, wherein the reactive group A is connected to the chelating agent via a linker x, and A is an amino acid residue -CH(NHR1)RS where R1 is a transient protecting group and R5 is a earboxylic acid or its salt, acid halide or an ester. 8. The chelating agent according to claim 7 selected from the group consisting of WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 40 wherein x is as defined in claim 4 and the protecting group R1 is selected from a group consisting of Fmoc, Boo, or Bsmoc, and R6 is an alkyl ester or an allyl ester and R7 is an alkyl group, and Z1.Z2 and Z3 are the same or different alkyl groups, and n is 0 or 1. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 41 9. The chelatlng agent according to claim 1, suitable for use in the synthesis of an oligonucleotide, wherein the reactive group A is connected to the chelating agent via a linker x, and A is -E-O-PZ-O-R4 where one of the oxygen atoms optionally is replaced by sulfur, Z ischlorq orNR2R3 R4 is a protecting group, R2 and R3 are alky] groups, E is absent or is a radical of a purine base or a pyrimidine base or any other modified base suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oiigonu-cleotides, said base being connected to the oxygen atom via either i) a hydrocarbon chain, which is substituted with a protected hy- droxyethyl group, or via iI) a furan ring or pyrane ring or any modified furan or pyrane ring, suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oligonucteotides. 10. The chelating agent according to claim 9 wherein E is a radical of any of the bases thymine, uracii, adenosine, guanine or cytosine, and said base is connected to the oxygen atom via i) a hydrocarbon chain, which is substituted with a protected hy- droxyethyl group, or via ii) a furan ring having a protected hydroxyethyl group in its 4-position and optionally a hydroxyl, protected hydroxyl or modified hydroxyl group in its 2-position. 11. The chelatirtg agent according to claim 9, wherein -E-O- P(NR2R3)-O-R't is selected from the group consisting of WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 42 where - is the position of linker x. 12. The chelaiing agent according to claim 11, selected from the group consisting of WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 43 where R6 is an alkyl ester or an ally! ester and R7 is an alkyl group and x is as defined jn claini 4 and A is -E-O-P(NR2R3)-G-R4as defined in claim 11 and Z1, Z2 and Z3 are the same or different alkyl groups and n is 0 or 1. 13. A chelate comprising - a metal ion, WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 44 - a chromophbric moiety comprising two or more aromatic units, wherein at least one of the aromatic units is a trialkoxyphenylpyridyl group, where the aikoxy groups are the same or different, and the pyridyl groups are i) tethered directly to each other to form a bipytidyl or terpyridyl group, respec tively, or ii) tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains, - a chelating part comprising at least two carboxylic acid or phos- phonic acid groups, or esters or salts of said acids, attached to an aromatic unit of the chromophoric moiety, either directly or via an N-containing hydro carbon chain, and - optionally a reactive group A, tethered to the chromophoric moiety or to the chelating part either directly or via a linker x, said reactive group A enabling binding to a biomolecule or to a functional group on a solid phase. 14. The chelate according to claim 13 wherein the pyridyl groups of chromophoric moiety are tethered to each other via N-containing hydrocarbon chains. 15. The chelate according to claim 13 wherein a reactive group A is connected to the chelating agent via a linker x. 16. The chelate according to claim 13 where A is selected from the group consisting of isothiocyanate, haioacetamido, rnateimido, dichlorotriaz- inyl, dichlorotriazinylamino, pyridyldithio, thioester, aminooxy, hydrazide, arnino, a polymerizing group, arid a carboxylic acid or an acid halide or an ac tive ester thereof. 17. The chelate according to claim 13 wherein the linker x is formed from one to ten moieties, each moiety being selected from the group consisting of phenylene, alkylene containing 1-12 carbon atoms, ethynydiyl (-Csc-), ethylenedjyl (-C=C-), ether (-O-), thioether (-S-), amide (-CO-NH-, -CO-NR'-, NH-CO and -NR'-GO-), carbonyl (-CO-), ester (-COO- and -OOC-), disulfide (-SS-), diaza (-N-N-), and tertiary amine, wherein R" represents an alkyl group containing less than 5 carbon atoms. 18. The chelate according to claim 13, which is selected from the group consisting of WO 2005/058877 PCT/F120()4/000 45 wherein Z\ Z2 and Z3 are the same or different alkyl groups and n is 0or1. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 46 19. The chelate according to claim 18 wherein the metal M is a lan- thanide or a metal suitable for use in positron emission tomography or mag netic resonance imaging. 20. A biomolecule conjugated with a chelate according to any of the claims 13-19. 21. A biomolecule conjugated with a chelate according to any of the claims 13-19,, wherein the bidmolecule is selected from the group consisting of an oligopeptide, oligonucleotide, DNA, RNA, modified oligo- or polynucleotide, protein, oligosaccaride, polysaccaride, phospholipide, PNA, LNA, antibody, hapten, drug, receptor binding ligand and lectine. 22. The biomblecule according to claim 21 wherein the modified oli go- or polynucleotide is a phosphoromonothioate, phosphorodithioate, phos- phoroamidate and/or sugar- or basemodified oligo- or polynucleotide. 23. A biomolecule conjugated with a chelating agent according to any Of the claims 1-12. 24. A solid support conjugated with a chelate according to any of the claims 13-19. 25. A solid support, conjugated with a chelate according to any of the claims 13-19, wherein said solid support is selected from the group consist ing of a rianopartictei a, microparticje, a slide or a plate. 26. A labeled oligopeptide, obtained by synthesis on a solid phase, by introduction of a chelating agent according to claim 7 or 8 into the oligopep tide structure on an oligopeptide synthesizer, followed by deprotection and op tionally also introduction of a metal ion. 27. A labeled oligonucleotide, obtained by synthesis on a solid pha se, by introduction of a chelating agent according to any of the claims 9-12 into the oligonucleotide structure on an oligonucleotide synthesizer, followed by deprotection and optionally also introduction of a metal ion. 28. A solid support conjugated With a labeled oligopeptide according to claim 26 or a labeled oligonueleotlde according to claim 27, wherein said oligopeptide or oligonucleotide is covalently or noncovalently immobilized on said solid support. WO 2005/058877 PCT/FI2004/000680 47 29. A solid support conjugated with a labeled oligopeptide according to claim 26 or a labeled oligonucleotide according to claim 27, wherein said oligopeptide or oligonudeotide is covalently or noncovalently immobilized on said solid support, which is selected from the group consisting of a nanoparti- cle, a mlcroparticJe, a slide or a plate. 30. A solid support conjugated with the chelating agent according to claim 1, suitable for use in the synthesis of an oligonucleotide, wherein the re active group A is connected to the cheiating agent via a linker x, and A is -E-O-x'- where x' is a linker connected to the solid support, and can be the same or different as the linker x E is absent or is a radical of a purine or pyrimidine or any other modified base suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides, said base being connected to the oxygen atom via either i) a hydrocarbon chain, which is substituted with a protected hy- droxyethyl group, or via ii) a furan ring or pyrane ring or any modified furan or pyrane ring, suitable for use in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides.

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1708-kolnp-2006-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-DESCRIPTION COMPLETE.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-FORM 1.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-FORM 13.pdf

1708-kolnp-2006-form 27.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-FORM-27-1.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-FORM-27.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

1708-KOLNP-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf