BACKGROUND INFORMATION: While enolase is a ubiquitous metalloenzyme involved in the glycolytic pathway, it is also known as a multifunctional protein, since enolases anchored on the outer surface of the plasma membrane are involved in tissue invasion. RESULTS: We have identified an extracellular enolase (Ae-ENO) produced by the teratocytes, embryonic cells of the insect parasitoid Aphidius ervi. We demonstrate that Ae-ENO, although lacking a signal peptide, accumulates in cytoplasmic vesicles oriented towards the cell membrane. Ae-ENO binds to and activates a plasminogen-like molecule inducing digestion of the host tissue and thereby ensuring successful parasitism. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis that plasminogen-like proteins exist in invertebrates. Interestingly the activation of a plasminogen-like protein is mediated by a mechanisms involving the surface enolase/fibrinolytic system considered, until now, exclusive of vertebrates, and that instead is conserved across species. SIGNIFICANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first example of enolase mediated Plg-like binding and activation in insect cells, demonstrating the existence of an ECM degradation process via a Plg-like protein in invertebrates.

Extracellular matrix degradation via Enolase/Plasminogen interaction: Evidence for a mechanism conserved in Metazoa.

GRIMALDI, ANNALISA;
2016-01-01

Abstract

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: While enolase is a ubiquitous metalloenzyme involved in the glycolytic pathway, it is also known as a multifunctional protein, since enolases anchored on the outer surface of the plasma membrane are involved in tissue invasion. RESULTS: We have identified an extracellular enolase (Ae-ENO) produced by the teratocytes, embryonic cells of the insect parasitoid Aphidius ervi. We demonstrate that Ae-ENO, although lacking a signal peptide, accumulates in cytoplasmic vesicles oriented towards the cell membrane. Ae-ENO binds to and activates a plasminogen-like molecule inducing digestion of the host tissue and thereby ensuring successful parasitism. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the hypothesis that plasminogen-like proteins exist in invertebrates. Interestingly the activation of a plasminogen-like protein is mediated by a mechanisms involving the surface enolase/fibrinolytic system considered, until now, exclusive of vertebrates, and that instead is conserved across species. SIGNIFICANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first example of enolase mediated Plg-like binding and activation in insect cells, demonstrating the existence of an ECM degradation process via a Plg-like protein in invertebrates.
2016
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1768-322X
Enolase; Extracellular matrix digestion; Hymenoptera; Plasminogen; Teratocytes
Grossi, G; Grimaldi, Annalisa; Cardone, Ra; Monné, M; Reshkin, Sj; Girardello, R; Greco, Mr; Coviello, E; Laurino, S; Falabella, P.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/2045496
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