Natural bioactive molecules induce a reduction of surface alpha-enolase in breast cancer cells

Cell surface expression of alpha-enolase, a glycolytic enzyme displaying moonlighting activities, has been shown to contribute to cancer cell invasion and metastasis formation. Although the functional role of surface alpha-enolase in cancer spreading has been clearly linked to the protein non-enzymatic function of binding plasminogen and enhancing plasmin formation, the cellular pathways underlying cell surface transport remain largely elusive. We have previously demonstrated that pro-invasive stimuli promote the surface expression of alpha-enolase in breast cancer cells. To further investigate alpha-enolase translocation to the plasma membrane and to identify the signaling involved in this…