The Enolase of the Mediates Binding to Collagens: An Extracellular Matrix Component.

Enolase proteins play a significant role as moonlighting proteins. In their role as surface-associated enolase, they have multiple functions as they interact with extracellular matrix proteins. Type I and III collagens are the major constituents of this extracellular matrix, and collagen is one of the targets of interaction with the enolase of many pathogens, thereby helping the colonization process and promoting the subsequent invasion of the host.

Structural Characterization of Enolase and Its Interaction with Human Plasminogen by In Silico and In Vitro Assays.

is the causal agent of invasive pediatric diseases, such as meningitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia, septic arthritis, pericarditis, cellulitis, and bacteremia (serotype b). Non-typeable (NTHi) strains are associated with localized infections, such as otitis media, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia, and can cause invasive diseases, such as as meningitis and sepsis in immunocompromised hosts. Enolase is a multifunctional protein and can act as a receptor for plasminogen, promoting its activation to plasmin, which leads to the degradation of components of the extracellular matrix, favoring host tissue invasion.

Cloning and Characterization of Immunological Properties of Enolase.

is a common organism of the human upper respiratory tract; this bacterium is responsible of a wide spectrum for respiratory infections and can generate invasive diseases such as meningitis and septicemia. These infections are associated with encapsulated serotype b. However, the incidence of invasive disease caused by nontypeable (NTHi) has increased in the post- serotype b (Hib) vaccine era.