Blood Platelets Contain a Neuron‐Specific Enolase Subunit

Abstract

Abstract: Neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) is a cell‐specific isoenzyme of the glycolytic enzyme enolase that is present only in neurons and selected neuroendocrine cells. We now report the presence of this neuronal marker in blood platelets. The level of NSE found in human blood platelets is much lower than that found in brain tissue (0.045% of the total soluble protein for platelets versus 1.5% for cortical tissue), but is 20‐30 times higher than NSE levels found in peripheral non‐nervous tissues. Chromatographic analysis indicates that the majority of the NSE γ‐subunit in platelets is present as the hybrid αγ isoenzyme. This, coupled with the high level of non‐neuronal enolase (NNE) found in platelets, indicates that blood platelets contain both the α‐ and γ‐ subunit.