We have shown that dicyanogold(I), [Au(CN)2]- is a common metabolite found in blood and
urine samples of patients treated with different gold based drugs. Some patients have high levels
of gold within their red blood cells (RBCs). Size exclusion and C18 reversed phase
chromatography show that the majority of the gold in RBC lysates is bound to protein, but small
molecules such as dicyanogold(I) and gold-glutathione complexes are also present. Dicyanogold
incubation with red blood cells in vitro leads to a rapid and complete uptake of gold. This uptake
is unaffected by DIDS, an inhibitor of the anion channel, but is blocked by the addition of external
cyanide. Dicyanogold is also readily taken up by H9 cells, a continuous CD4+ cell line. This
uptake is significantly inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide, suggesting a requirement for sulfhydryl
groups. Dicyanogold inhibits the replication of the AIDS virus, HIV, in a cell culture model.