α-Enolase, a multifunctional protein: its role on pathophysiological situations

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Medicine

Background:

• Alpha-enolase (ENA) is a crucial glycolytic enzyme with diverse cellular functions.
• ENA functions as a cell surface plasminogen receptor, modulating proteolytic activity.
• Dysregulation of ENA is linked to various pathologies, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multifaceted roles of alpha-enolase (ENA) beyond its glycolytic function.
• To elucidate the significance of the ENA/plasminogen axis in cellular processes and disease.
• To examine ENA's role in myogenesis and skeletal muscle regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Identification of ENA as a plasminogen receptor across multiple cell types.
• Analysis of ENA expression during myocyte differentiation.
• In vitro and in vivo studies using ENA/plasminogen binding inhibitors in myogenesis and muscle regeneration models.

Main Results:

• ENA is expressed on the surface of differentiating myocytes.
• Inhibition of ENA/plasminogen binding significantly impairs myogenic fusion in vitro.
• Skeletal muscle regeneration in mice is hindered by blocking ENA/plasminogen interactions.

Conclusions:

• Alpha-enolase (ENA) plays a critical role in extracellular remodeling processes like myogenesis.
• The ENA/plasminogen axis is implicated in pathological conditions, with ENA serving as a potential biomarker.
• Targeting the ENA/plasminogen interaction may offer therapeutic strategies for diseases involving tissue remodeling and regeneration.