Enolase 2

Gamma-enolase, also known as enolase 2 or neuron specific enolase, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ENO2 gene. Gamma-enolase is a phosphopyruvate hydratase.
Gamma-enolase is one of the three enolase isoenzymes found in mammals. This isoenzyme, a homodimer, is found in mature neurons and cells of neuronal origin. A switch from alpha enolase to gamma enolase occurs in neural tissue during development in rats and primates.

Utility

Image:Hemangioblastoma - nse - high mag.jpg|thumb|left|Neuron-specific enolase immunostaining of a cerebellar hemangioblastoma.
Detection of NSE with antibodies can be used to identify neuronal cells and cells with neuroendocrine differentiation. NSE is produced by small-cell carcinomas, which are neuroendocrine in origin. NSE is therefore a useful tumor marker for distinguishing small-cell carcinomas from other tumors.