The levels of three enolase subunits in human tumors; a low ?-/?-subunit ratio as indicator of tumors of neuronal and neuroendocrine nature.
The contents of three subunits (?, ? and ?) of enolase isoenzymes of various human tumors, especially of neuronal and neuroendocrine tumors, were determined by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay system. A high level of ?-subunit was detected in neuronal and neuroendocrine tumors, including small cell carcinomas of the lung. The level of ?-subunit was generally higher in all tumors and varied according to the tumor. The ?-subunit level was elevated in rhabdomyosarcomas. Furthermore, analyzing the relationship between the contents of each enolase subunit among the tumors, the ?-/?-subunit ratios were the lowest in neuronal tumors and increased in order of neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine tumors. This result suggested that the ?-/?-subunit ratio is an important indicator to evaluate neuronal and neuroendocrine differentiation of the tumor rather than the amount of ?-subunit of enolase itself.
Nakajima
T
T
Pathology Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104 Japan.
Kato
K
K
Tsumuraya
M
M
Kodama
T
T
Shimosato
Y
Y
Kameya
T
T