Alpha-enolase

Alpha-enolase (ENO1) is a multifunctional glycolytic enzyme catalysing the conversion of 2-phosphoglycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate, expressed ubiquitously but at highest levels in skeletal muscle, where it is released following exercise-induced membrane damage. In sport medicine, enolase is recognised as a marker of muscular micro-trauma, elevated after eccentric exercise protocols in proportion to muscle damage severity. Its salivary detection reflects both systemic spillover from damaged myocytes and local oral tissue glycolytic activity.