αγ‐Enolase in the Rat: Ontogeny and Tissue Distribution

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Abstract
The rat brain enolases are dimers composed of α and γ subunits. At pH 8.6 αγ‐enolase seemed to be stable, and no evidence was found for the possible formation of αγ‐enolase from αα‐enolase and γγ‐enolase in the course of rat brain homogenization. During ontogeny of the rat forebrain, αγ‐enolase was formed before γγ‐enolase. The half‐maximal specific concentrations were reached at postnatal days 14 and 23, respectively. The distribution of αγ‐ and γγ‐enolase in various rat brain areas was also investigated. In all areas both forms were present. In neuroendocrine tissues αγ‐enolase was present at a much higher concentration than γγ‐enolase. The ratio between γγ‐enolase and αγ‐enolase may be indicative of the degree of neuronal maturation, a conclusion further substantiated by the high ratio observed in cerebellum and the low ratio observed in olfactory bulbs, both compared with the ratio in forebrain.