<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><bold>Background.</bold> Gamma-enolase, known also as neuron-specific enolase (NSE), is an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, which is expressed predominantly in neurons and cells of the neuroendocrine system. As a tumour marker it is used in diagnosis and prognosis of cancer; however, the mechanisms enrolling it in malignant progression remain elusive. As a cytoplasmic enzyme gamma-enolase is involved in increased aerobic glycolysis, the main source of energy in cancer cells, supporting cell proliferation. However, different cellular localisation at pathophysiological conditions, proposes other cellular engagements.</p><p><bold>Conclusions.</bold> The C-terminal part of the molecule, which is not related to glycolytic pathway, was shown to promote survival of neuronal cells by regulating neuronal growth factor receptor dependent signalling pathways, resulting also in extensive actin cytoskeleton remodelling. This additional function could be important also in cancer cells either to protect cells from stressful conditions and therapeutic agents or to promote tumour cell migration and invasion. Gamma-enolase might therefore have a multifunctional role in cancer progression: it supports increased tumour cell metabolic demands, protects tumour cells from stressful conditions and promotes their invasion and migration.</p></abstract>

Background. Gamma-enolase, known also as neuron-specific enolase (NSE), is an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, which is expressed predominantly in neurons and cells of the neuroendocrine system. As a tumour marker it is used in diagnosis and prognosis of cancer; however, the mechanisms enrolling it in malignant progression remain elusive. As a cytoplasmic enzyme gamma-enolase is involved in increased aerobic glycolysis, the main source of energy in cancer cells, supporting cell proliferation. However, different cellular localisation at pathophysiological conditions, proposes other cellular engagements.Conclusions. The C-terminal part of the molecule, which is not related to glycolytic pathway, was shown to promote survival of neuronal cells by regulating neuronal growth factor receptor dependent signalling pathways, resulting also in extensive actin cytoskeleton remodelling. This additional function could be important also in cancer cells either to protect cells from stressful conditions and therapeutic agents or to promote tumour cell migration and invasion. Gamma-enolase might therefore have a multifunctional role in cancer progression: it supports increased tumour cell metabolic demands, protects tumour cells from stressful conditions and promotes their invasion and migration.

Gamma-enolase: a well-known tumour marker, with a less-known role in cancer

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Radiology and Oncology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Gamma-enolase: a well-known tumour marker, with a less-known role in cancer"}

Background. Gamma-enolase, known also as neuron-specific enolase (NSE), is an enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, which is expressed predominantly in neurons and...

Gamma-enolase: a well-known tumour marker, with a less-known role in cancer

Published Online: Aug 21, 2015

Page range: 217 - 226

Received: May 09, 2015

Accepted: Jul 13, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/raon-2015-0035

Keywords
gamma-enolase, cancer, glycolysis, cell survival, tumour marker

© 2015 Tjasa Vizin et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Gamma-enolase: a well-known tumour marker, with a less-known role in cancer

Published Online: Aug 21, 2015

Page range: 217 - 226

Received: May 09, 2015

Accepted: Jul 13, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/raon-2015-0035

Keywordsgamma-enolase, cancer, glycolysis, cell survival, tumour marker

© 2015 Tjasa Vizin et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
gamma-enolase, cancer, glycolysis, cell survival, tumour marker