Staphylococcus aureus Enolase

Staphylococcus aureus Enolase is a metabolic enzyme and cell surface protein of Staphylococcus aureus. Primarily, it functions in the glycolytic pathway, catalyzing the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate-an essential step for energy production, supporting bacterial growth and survival. Beyond its metabolic role, Enolase is also localized to the bacterial cell surface, where it acts as an adhesin, binding to host extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., plasminogen). This binding activates plasminogen to plasmin, a protease that degrades host tissues, facilitating bacterial invasion and spread. Enolase exhibits immunogenicity, stimulating host immune responses that can target both the metabolic and adhesive functions of the protein. It is a potential target for anti-staphylococcal drugs and vaccines: drugs inhibiting Enolase may disrupt glycolysis, while vaccines targeting Enolase may block adhesion and tissue invasion, reducing infection severity.