[Frontiers in Bioscience 10, 30-36, January 1, 2005]

ALPHA-ENOLASE PLASMINOGEN RECEPTOR IN MYOGENESIS

Roser Lopez-Alemany 1, Monica Suelves 2, Angels Diaz-Ramos 1, Berta Vidal 2, and Pura Munoz-Canoves 2

1 Institut de Recerca Oncologica (IRO), Centre d'Oncologia Molecular (COM). Av. Gran Via s/n km 2.7, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain, 2 Centre de Regulacio Genomica (CRG), Programa de Diferenciacio i Cancer, Passeig Maritim 6-8, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. The plasminogen activation system in myogenesis
4. Alpha-enolase as a plasminogen receptor
5. Alpha-enolase plasminogen receptor in myogenesis
6. Regulation of plasmin generation in myogenesis
7. Perspective
8. Acknowledgements
9. References

1. ABSTRACT

Plasmin is a potent extracellular protease specialized in the degradation of fibrin (fibrinolysis). Active plasmin is generated by proteolytic activation of the zymogen plasminogen (Plg) by urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). Alpha-enolase, although traditionally considered a glycolytic enzyme, constitutes a receptor for plasminogen on several cell types, serving to localize and promote plasminogen activation pericellularly. Localization of plasmin activity on the cell surface plays a critical role in fibrinolysis and in physiopathological processes involving extracellular matrix remodelling.