The reaction of cow beta-lactoglobulin with tetracyanoaurate(III).

The reaction of cow beta-lactoglobulin with Au(CN)-4 is shown to label the free sulphydryl group on the protein by a reductive mechanism yielding a stable complex. High salt concentrations are shown to affect the pH-dependent conformational transition (N in equilibrium R yields S). It is hoped that Au(CN)-4 may be of more widespread use as a specific heavy-atom label for the isomorphous replacement method.