Latent human leukocyte collagenase can be activated by gold thioglucose and gold sodium thiomalate, but not by auranofin

Gold thioglucose and gold sodium thiomalate were shown to be potent activators of latent human leukocyte collagenase. No activation by auranofin was noted. The activation may proceed through the action of gold on the essential sulfhydryl groups of latent enzyme and, thereby, mimick the action of the known organomercurial activators.