Action of sodium gold(I) thiomalate on erythrocyte membrane

Reaction of sodium gold (I) thiomalate (myocrisin) with exofacial thiol groups on the membrane of intact erythrocytes was studied by resonance Raman spectroscopy using as a probe molecule 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (ESSE). The method has the advantage that separate signals are observed for unreacted ESSE, for hemoglobin, and for the product of the reaction of ESSE with membrane thiols (ES − ). This enables both an internal calibration of the extent of reaction and a continuous monitor of the degree of lysis. The method gives an estimate of thiol concentration and can be used to follow reactions involving thiol site regeneration by the cell