ENO3, also known as beta-enolase (ENO-β), is an enzyme encoded by the ENO3 gene in humans. It belongs to the enolase family and functions as a glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the reversible conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate during glycolysis. This isoform is predominantly expressed in adult striated muscle, including skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues . During fetal muscle development, there is a transcriptional switch from expressing ENO1 (alpha-enolase) to ENO3, influenced by muscle innervation and Myo D1. Interestingly, ENO3 expression levels are higher in fast-twitch muscle fibers compared to slow-twitch fibers, suggesting specialized metabolic roles for tissues with high energy demands .
The catalytic activity of ENO3 is essential for energy production, particularly in muscle tissues that rely heavily on glycolysis. Specific activity measurements for recombinant human ENO3 indicate activity levels exceeding 5,000 pmol/min/μg, as determined by monitoring NAD absorbance changes at 340nm .
The ENO3 gene spans approximately 6 kb and contains 12 exons, with the first exon being an untranslated region (non-coding). The gene's regulatory architecture is specialized for muscle-specific expression. The first intron, along with the 5'-flanking region, contains consensus sequences for muscle-specific regulatory factors including a CC(A + T-rich)6GG box, a M-CAT-box CAATCCT, and two myocyte-specific enhancer-binding factor 1 boxes .
Upstream of the first exon lies a TATA-like box and CpG-rich region containing recognition motifs for binding transcriptional regulatory factors such as Sp1, activator protein 1 and 2, CCAAT box transcription factor/nuclear factor I, and cyclic AMP . A distinctive feature of ENO3 compared to other enolase genes is that it possesses a single transcription initiation site located 26 bp downstream of the TATA-like box, whereas other enolase genes have multiple transcription initiation sites .
This unique structural organization contributes to the tissue-specific expression pattern of ENO3 and explains its predominant presence in muscle tissues.
For accurate measurement of ENO3 enzymatic activity, researchers should consider several methodological approaches:
Spectrophotometric assays: The standard method involves monitoring the decrease of NAD in absorbance at 340nm resulting from NADH consumption at pH 6.5 and 37°C . This approach provides a quantitative measure of ENO3's catalytic function in converting 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate.
Optimal reaction conditions: Maintain experimental conditions at pH 6.5 and 37°C, which have been established as optimal for ENO3 activity measurement . Using appropriate buffer systems (typically Tris-HCl) with stabilizing agents like DTT (0.02%) helps maintain enzyme stability during assays.
Substrate concentration optimization: Ensure linear enzymatic rates by optimizing substrate concentrations through preliminary kinetic studies determining Km values for 2-phosphoglycerate.
Controls and normalization: Include proper controls to account for background NAD/NADH fluctuations and normalize activity to protein concentration, determined using methods like Bradford or BCA assays.
Coupled enzyme assays: Consider coupling the reaction with other glycolytic enzymes to create a continuous assay system, which can improve sensitivity and reproducibility.
The specific activity of purified recombinant human ENO3 protein typically exceeds 5,000 pmol/min/μg, providing a benchmark for quality control in enzyme preparation .
ENO3 (beta-enolase) is one of three enolase isoforms in humans, alongside ENO1 (alpha-enolase) and ENO2 (gamma-enolase). Each isoform acts as a protein subunit that can form hetero- or homodimers of various combinations (αα, αβ, αγ, ββ, and γγ) . Understanding the structural differences between these isoforms provides insights into their specialized functions:
Sequence and structural comparison:
ENO3 encodes a 433-residue protein that forms functional dimers
The protein contains an active site that catalyzes the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate
Compared to other enolase isoforms, ENO3 has a relatively conserved catalytic domain but differs in certain surface-exposed regions
Evolutionary perspective:
Based on its comparatively small length and highly conserved intron/exon organization, ENO3 is suggested to have been the last to diverge from a common ancestral gene
This evolutionary history may explain its specialized function in muscle tissues
Tissue distribution differences:
ENO3 is predominantly expressed in muscle tissue
ENO1 is ubiquitously expressed across most tissues
These structural differences underlie the functional specialization of ENO3 in muscle metabolism and explain why mutations in ENO3 primarily affect muscle function, leading to conditions such as glycogen storage disease type XIII .
For researchers seeking to produce recombinant human ENO3 protein for structural or functional studies, several expression systems have proven effective, with Escherichia coli being the most commonly utilized:
Bacterial expression in E. coli:
Optimal construct design:
Purification strategy:
Storage considerations:
Quality control measures:
Verification of purity using SDS-PAGE
Activity testing by monitoring NAD absorbance changes at 340nm
Mass spectrometry confirmation of protein identity
Following these guidelines can help researchers produce high-quality ENO3 protein suitable for a variety of experimental applications.
ENO3 exhibits context-dependent roles in cancer development and progression, with emerging evidence suggesting it may function as a tumor suppressor in certain cancer types:
In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ENO3 has been identified as a tumor suppressor. Research has demonstrated that ENO3 is remarkably down-regulated in human HCC tissue compared to non-cancerous tissue, and low expression correlates with poor prognosis in HCC patients . Functional studies have shown that overexpression of ENO3 suppresses proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo, while knocking down ENO3 enhances these malignant phenotypes .
Mechanistically, ENO3 represses the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is crucial for cancer metastasis. Further investigation revealed that ENO3 suppresses the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which subsequently modulates the transcription of target genes associated with proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells .
These findings suggest that ENO3 could be a promising candidate for cancer treatment, particularly in HCC. Therapeutic strategies could include:
Approaches to upregulate ENO3 expression in tumors where it acts as a tumor suppressor
Targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in conjunction with ENO3 modulation
Developing biomarkers based on ENO3 expression to guide treatment decisions
The study by Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology highlighted that "ENO3 acted as a tumor inhibitor in HCC development and implied ENO3 as a promising candidate for HCC treatment" , underscoring its potential therapeutic significance.
Glycogen storage disease type XIII (GSD13), also known as muscle β-enolase deficiency, is a rare inherited metabolic myopathy caused by mutations in the ENO3 gene. These mutations typically affect the enzyme's active site, disrupting its glycolytic activity and consequently impairing energy metabolism in muscle tissue .
The condition is generally characterized as an autosomal recessive disorder, but clinical observations have identified both heterozygous and homozygous mutations in affected individuals. Heterozygous mutations typically result in milder clinical presentations, while homozygous mutations tend to produce more severe symptoms, including rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of damaged muscle tissue) .
At the molecular level, ENO3 mutations lead to:
Reduced catalytic efficiency: Mutations in the active site impair the enzyme's ability to convert 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate
Protein instability: Some mutations may affect protein folding or stability, leading to reduced enzyme levels
Impaired dimerization: Since ENO3 functions as a dimer, mutations affecting protein-protein interfaces can disrupt functional enzyme formation
The pathophysiological consequences include:
Reduced ATP production in muscle cells, particularly during anaerobic exercise
Impaired ability to meet energy demands during intense physical activity
Accumulation of glycolytic intermediates upstream of the enzymatic block
Potential compensatory upregulation of alternative metabolic pathways
Advances in genetic testing, such as exome sequencing and targeted gene panels, have improved access to diagnosis for muscle β-enolase deficiency . These technologies allow for more precise identification of the specific ENO3 mutations, which can inform prognosis and potential treatment approaches.
Research has identified that ENO3 suppresses the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma, which subsequently impacts the transcription of target genes associated with proliferation and metastasis . To rigorously investigate this regulatory relationship, researchers should employ multiple complementary methodological approaches:
Gene expression modulation techniques:
Overexpression studies using transfection of ENO3 expression vectors
Knockdown experiments using siRNA or shRNA targeting ENO3
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to create ENO3 knockout or knock-in cell lines
Inducible expression systems to study time-dependent effects
Protein-protein interaction analysis:
Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) to detect physical interactions between ENO3 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway components
Proximity ligation assays to visualize protein interactions in situ
Mass spectrometry-based interactome analysis to identify all interaction partners
In vitro binding assays with purified proteins to confirm direct interactions
Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity assessment:
TOPFlash/FOPFlash luciferase reporter assays to measure β-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity
Western blot analysis of active (non-phosphorylated) β-catenin levels
Immunofluorescence to track β-catenin nuclear translocation
Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to assess β-catenin binding to target gene promoters
Target gene expression analysis:
qRT-PCR and RNA-seq to measure expression of Wnt/β-catenin target genes
ChIP-seq to identify β-catenin binding sites at target gene promoters
Promoter-reporter assays to assess transcriptional regulation
Functional validation studies:
Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays following ENO3 modulation
Rescue experiments combining ENO3 overexpression with Wnt pathway activators
In vivo xenograft models to confirm observations in a physiological context
These methodologies, when used in combination, provide a comprehensive framework for understanding how ENO3 regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The study published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology demonstrated that "ENO3 suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signal, which subsequently modulated the transcription of its target genes associated with the proliferation and metastasis capacity of HCC cells" , highlighting the importance of this regulatory mechanism.
Understanding ENO3's protein interaction network is crucial for elucidating its multifunctional roles in both normal physiology and disease states. Several advanced techniques have emerged as valuable tools for investigating ENO3 protein-protein interactions:
Proximity-dependent labeling methods:
BioID and TurboID approaches, where ENO3 is fused to a biotin ligase that biotinylates nearby proteins
APEX2 proximity labeling, utilizing an engineered ascorbate peroxidase to tag proximal proteins
These methods capture transient or weak interactions that might be missed by traditional co-immunoprecipitation
Advanced microscopy techniques:
Super-resolution microscopy to visualize co-localization at nanometer resolution
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect direct protein interactions in living cells
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to measure protein proximity with high sensitivity
Live-cell imaging to track dynamic interactions in real-time
Mass spectrometry-based approaches:
Affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry (AP-MS) using tagged ENO3
Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) to identify interaction interfaces
Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to detect conformational changes upon binding
Thermal proteome profiling to detect interaction-induced changes in thermal stability
Protein complementation assays:
Split fluorescent protein systems (e.g., split GFP) where fragments reunite when fused proteins interact
NanoBiT system using complementary fragments of NanoLuc luciferase
Mammalian membrane two-hybrid (MaMTH) system for studying interactions involving membrane proteins
Computational prediction and validation:
Machine learning approaches to predict potential interaction partners
Molecular docking simulations to model interaction interfaces
Network analysis to place ENO3 interactions in broader biological contexts
When studying ENO3's role in cancer, these techniques can reveal how it interacts with components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, as demonstrated in hepatocellular carcinoma research . For investigating its role in muscle metabolism, these methods can identify interactions with other glycolytic enzymes and regulatory proteins in muscle tissue .
These emerging technologies, especially when used in combination, provide researchers with powerful tools to map ENO3's interactome with unprecedented detail and contextual relevance.
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) can significantly alter ENO3's enzymatic activity, subcellular localization, protein-protein interactions, and stability. Understanding these modifications is crucial for comprehending ENO3's diverse roles in both normal physiology and disease states:
Phosphorylation:
May regulate enzymatic activity in response to cellular energy status
Could affect interaction with other glycolytic enzymes or signaling proteins
Potentially mediates ENO3's non-glycolytic functions, such as its role in suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in cancer cells
Research methods: Phospho-specific antibodies, mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics, site-directed mutagenesis
Acetylation:
Glycosylation:
May affect protein stability and localization
Could be particularly relevant in cancer contexts where aberrant glycosylation is common
Research methods: Glycoprotein staining, lectin affinity, mass spectrometry
Oxidative modifications:
Cysteine oxidation could affect enzymatic activity, especially important during oxidative stress in muscle tissue
May be relevant in muscle pathologies including glycogen storage disease type XIII
Research methods: Redox proteomics, site-directed mutagenesis of cysteine residues
Methodological approaches for studying ENO3 PTMs:
Unbiased PTM profiling:
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics to identify all modifications
Enrichment strategies for specific PTMs (e.g., phosphopeptide enrichment)
Comparison of PTM patterns between normal muscle tissue and disease states
Functional assessment of PTMs:
Site-directed mutagenesis to create non-modifiable versions (e.g., S→A for phosphorylation sites)
In vitro enzymatic assays comparing wild-type and mutant proteins
Cellular studies examining localization, interactions, and function
Understanding how these modifications regulate ENO3 could provide insights into its role in glycogen storage disease type XIII and its tumor suppressor function in hepatocellular carcinoma , potentially revealing new therapeutic targets.
Obtaining pure, active ENO3 protein is essential for structural and functional studies. Based on established protocols for recombinant human ENO3 protein production, the following best practices are recommended:
Expression system selection:
Construct design considerations:
Include the complete coding sequence (amino acids 1-434)
Add purification tags that minimally interfere with protein function (His-tag at N-terminus is effective)
Consider codon optimization for the expression system
Include cleavage sites for tag removal if necessary for downstream applications
Purification strategy:
Conventional chromatography has proven effective for purifying ENO3 to >95% purity
Two-step purification typically yields the best results:
Initial purification using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) via the His-tag
Secondary purification using size exclusion chromatography to ensure homogeneity
Buffer optimization:
Quality control measures:
Storage conditions:
Following these practices should yield purified ENO3 protein suitable for both structural studies (e.g., crystallography, cryo-EM) and functional analyses (enzymatic assays, protein-protein interaction studies).
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing offers powerful approaches for investigating ENO3 function in various experimental models. Here's a comprehensive methodological guide for researchers:
By systematically applying these CRISPR-Cas9 approaches, researchers can gain comprehensive insights into ENO3's multifaceted roles in normal physiology and disease contexts, as demonstrated in studies showing its tumor suppressor function in hepatocellular carcinoma and its critical role in muscle metabolism .
Detecting changes in ENO3 expression in patient samples requires sensitive and specific analytical techniques. For researchers investigating ENO3 in clinical contexts, such as hepatocellular carcinoma or glycogen storage disease type XIII , the following methods are recommended:
Nucleic acid-based methods:
a) Quantitative PCR (qPCR):
Highly sensitive for detecting transcript levels
Requires small amounts of starting material (valuable for limited patient samples)
Can be performed on fresh, frozen, or FFPE tissue samples
Best practices: Use validated reference genes for normalization; design primers spanning exon-exon junctions
b) Digital PCR:
Provides absolute quantification without standard curves
Higher precision and reproducibility than qPCR
Less affected by PCR inhibitors that may be present in clinical samples
Particularly valuable for detecting subtle expression changes
Protein detection methods:
a) Immunohistochemistry (IHC):
Allows visualization of ENO3 protein in tissue context
Can reveal spatial distribution within muscle fibers or tumor tissue
Permits comparison between affected and unaffected regions within the same sample
Crucial for confirming the downregulation of ENO3 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues
b) Western blotting:
Semi-quantitative assessment of protein levels
Can detect full-length protein and potential variants
Useful for comparing expression levels between patient and control samples
Enhanced sensitivity with chemiluminescent or fluorescent detection systems
Advanced technologies:
a) Mass spectrometry-based proteomics:
Can provide absolute quantification of ENO3 protein
Allows detection of post-translational modifications
Approaches include selected reaction monitoring (SRM) or multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)
Particularly valuable for research on post-translational modifications affecting enzyme activity
b) Single-cell RNA sequencing:
Reveals expression patterns in individual cells
Can identify cell populations with altered ENO3 expression
Particularly valuable for heterogeneous samples like tumors
Helps understand cell-type specific expression patterns
The choice of technique should be guided by the specific research question, sample availability, and required sensitivity. For many clinical studies, a combination of approaches (e.g., qPCR for screening followed by IHC for validation) may provide the most comprehensive assessment of ENO3 expression changes, as was done in studies examining ENO3's role as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma .
To study ENO3 function in muscle development and disease, researchers can utilize various experimental models, each with specific advantages for addressing different research questions:
Cellular Models:
a) Primary human myoblasts/myotubes:
Isolated from muscle biopsies
Allow study of ENO3 during myogenic differentiation
Can be derived from patients with ENO3-related disorders like glycogen storage disease type XIII
Most physiologically relevant for human disease studies
b) Established muscle cell lines:
C2C12 (mouse) or L6 (rat) myoblasts that can differentiate into myotubes
Allow genetic manipulation (overexpression, knockdown, CRISPR editing)
Useful for high-throughput screening
Well-characterized model for studying muscle differentiation
c) iPSC-derived myogenic cells:
Generated from patient fibroblasts or blood cells
Maintain genetic background of donors
Can model developmental aspects
Valuable for personalized medicine approaches
Animal Models:
a) Transgenic mice:
Eno3 knockout or knockin models
Tissue-specific or inducible expression systems
Allow whole-body phenotyping
Valuable for studying fiber-type specific expression patterns
b) Disease-specific models:
Ex Vivo Systems:
a) Isolated muscle fibers:
Maintain three-dimensional architecture
Allow functional studies
Can be electrically stimulated
Useful for studying fiber-type differences in ENO3 expression and function
b) Tissue explants:
Preserve tissue architecture and cell-cell interactions
Allow short-term culture for intervention studies
Bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo models
Human Samples:
a) Patient biopsies:
Most directly relevant to human disease
Can be analyzed for ENO3 expression patterns and mutations
Limited availability and heterogeneity may present challenges
Critical for validating findings from model systems
When selecting experimental models, researchers should consider the specific research question, whether it focuses on ENO3's enzymatic function, its role in muscle development, its tumor suppressor activity in cancer , or its involvement in genetic disorders like glycogen storage disease type XIII .
Computational approaches offer valuable tools for predicting how mutations in ENO3 might affect protein structure and function, which is particularly relevant for understanding glycogen storage disease type XIII and potential cancer-related alterations. The following methodological framework outlines key computational strategies:
Sequence-Based Analysis:
a) Conservation analysis:
Multiple sequence alignment across species and enolase isoforms
Identification of highly conserved residues likely crucial for function
Tools: Clustal Omega, MUSCLE, ConSurf
b) Mutation effect prediction:
Structural Analysis:
a) Structure modeling:
Homology modeling based on crystal structures of human enolases
Ab initio modeling for regions lacking templates
Tools: SWISS-MODEL, I-TASSER, AlphaFold2
Critical for understanding how mutations affect the catalytic site of ENO3
b) Molecular dynamics simulations:
Analysis of mutation effects on protein stability and flexibility
Identification of conformational changes affecting enzyme function
Assessment of substrate binding and catalytic activity changes
Tools: GROMACS, AMBER, NAMD
Functional Site Analysis:
a) Active site assessment:
Prediction of changes in substrate binding pocket geometry
Effects on catalytic residues positioning
Tools: CASTp, COACH, FTMap
Essential for understanding how mutations disrupt ENO3's glycolytic function
b) Protein-protein interaction interface analysis:
Integrated Approaches:
a) Machine learning methods:
Neural networks trained on protein structures and mutation effects
Integration of multiple data sources for improved prediction accuracy
Tools: DeepDDG, mCSM, DynaMut
b) Network analysis:
These computational approaches, especially when used in combination, can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms by which mutations affect ENO3 function. The predictions can guide experimental design and help prioritize variants for functional validation, ultimately contributing to better understanding of ENO3-related disorders and potential therapeutic strategies.
Enolase-3 is a homodimeric enzyme predominantly found in skeletal muscle cells of adults. It plays a crucial role in the glycolytic pathway, specifically in the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate . This step is essential for the production of ATP, which provides energy for various cellular processes.
The ENO3 gene spans approximately 6 kilobases and contains 12 exons. The first exon is non-coding, and the gene’s regulatory region includes several muscle-specific regulatory elements. These elements ensure that ENO3 is highly expressed in muscle tissues, where it is necessary for muscle development and regeneration .
Human recombinant Enolase-3 is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the ENO3 gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or yeast. This allows for the large-scale production of the enzyme, which can be used for various research and therapeutic purposes.
Beyond its primary role in glycolysis, Enolase-3 has been found to have several other functions. It acts as a DNA-binding protein and a tubulin/microtubule-binding protein during myogenesis. Additionally, it has been implicated in hypoxia tolerance, tumor suppression, and cell surface plasminogen binding .