Identification of enolase as a plasminogen-binding protein in excretory-secretory products of Fasciola hepatica.

We have followed a combined proteomic approach to identify proteins of Fasciola hepatica that could be involved in host-parasite interactions. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, far Western immunoblot and mass spectrometry analyses, we have identified the enolase enzyme, present in the excretory/secretory materials of F. hepatica, as a human plasminogen-binding protein. This enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 47 kDa with pI ranging from 6.2 to 7.2. These results suggest that enolase could act as a plasminogen receptor.