Neurospecific enolase

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a enzyme that is found in neurons and cells of neuroendocrine origin. It is a form of the enzyme enolase, a key player in the glycolysis pathway, which is responsible for the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PG) to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). NSE is a dimeric isoenzyme composed of gamma subunits and is one of the three enolase isoenzymes found in mammals.

Function

NSE is involved in the process of glycolysis, a metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate. The free energy released in this process is used to form the high-energy molecules ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).

Clinical significance

NSE is a useful substance that can be measured in the blood. High levels of NSE are often associated with certain types of cancers, particularly neuroblastoma and small cell lung cancer. It can also be used as a marker of neuronal damage in acute brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases.

See also

• Enolase
• Glycolysis
• Neuroblastoma
• Lung cancer