Enolase 1, more commonly known as alpha-enolase, is a glycolytic

Glycolysis

Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose C6H12O6, into pyruvate, CH3COCOO− + H+...

 enzyme

Enzyme

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...

 expressed in most tissues, one of the isozyme

Isozyme

Isozymes are enzymes that differ in amino acid sequence but catalyze the same chemical reaction. These enzymes usually display different kinetic parameters Isozymes (also known as isoenzymes) are enzymes that differ in amino acid sequence but catalyze the same chemical reaction. These enzymes...

s of enolase

Enolase

Enolase, also known as phosphopyruvate dehydratase, is a metalloenzyme responsible for the catalysis of the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate , the ninth and penultimate step of glycolysis. Enolase belongs to the class Lyase. Enolase can also catalyze the reverse reaction,...

. It is a homodimer composed of 2 alpha subunits.

Relationship to Myc-binding protein-1

Its gene, the ENO1, also encodes the Myc-binding protein-1(MBP1), which downregulates the activity of c-myc protooncogene. Alpha-enolase is the longer form (48 kDa) localized in both cytoplasm and nuclei, while MBP1 is shorter (37 kDa) and is found mostly in the nuclei.

Clinical significance

Alpha-enolase has been identified as an autoantigen in Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Hashimoto's encephalopathy

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy is a very rare condition associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It was first described in 1966. It is classified as a neuroendocrine disorder....

. Single studies have also identified it as an autoantigen associated with severe asthma

Asthma

Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...

 and a putative target antigen of anti-endothelial cell antibody in Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease

Behçet's disease is a rare immune-mediated systemic vasculitis that often presents with mucous membrane ulceration and ocular involvements...

. Reduced expression of the enzyme has been found in the corneal epithelium

Corneal epithelium

The corneal epithelium is made up of epithelial tissue and covers the front of the cornea. It acts as a barrier to protect the cornea, resisting the free flow of fluids from the tears, and prevents bacteria from entering the epithelium and corneal stroma.The corneal epithelium consists of several...

 of people suffering from keratoconus

Keratoconus

Keratoconus , is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve....

.

Interactions

Alpha-enolase has been shown to interact

Protein-protein interaction

Protein–protein interactions occur when two or more proteins bind together, often to carry out their biological function. Many of the most important molecular processes in the cell such as DNA replication are carried out by large molecular machines that are built from a large number of protein...

 with TRAPPC2

TRAPPC2

Trafficking protein particle complex subunit 2 also known as MBP-1-interacting protein 2A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TRAPPC2 gene. A processed pseudogene of this gene is located on chromosome 19, and other pseuodogenes of it are found on chromosome 8 and the Y chromosome...

.

External links

• Alpha-Enolase Linked to Severe Asthma - medscape
  Medscape
  Medscape is a web resource for physicians and other health professionals. It features peer-reviewed original medical journal articles, CME , a customized version of the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database, daily medical news, major conference coverage, and drug information—including a...
  
  news report, 25 aug 2006.