INDUCED EXPRESSION OF ALPHA-ENOLASE IN DIFFERENTIATED DIFFUSE LARGE-CELL LYMPHOMA

A unique protein has been detected that is associated with the differe ntiation of diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL). The WSU-DLCL human cel l line was cultured in the absence or presence of the biological agent , Bryostatin 1 (Bryo1). Cellular proteins of parent and differentiated WSU-DLCL cells were analyzed using one- and two-dimensional polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis (1D and 2D PAGE). In the 1D PAGE, a unique p rotein band of molecular mass similar to 47 kD was detected in the dif ferentiated, but not the parent cells. Amino acid sequence of the band indicated the presence of more than one protein. The 2D PAGE analysis showed that one of the proteins of interest had an isoelectric point of 7.4. Partial amino acid sequencing of the spot by tryptic digest sh owed 100% homology with alpha-enolase. alpha-Enolase is a nonneuronal enzyme involved in the glycolytic pathway. This is the first report on the induction of a-enolase in human DLCL after treatment with the nat ural biological agent, Bryol. We suggest that alpha-enolase may play a significant role in the differentiation of lymphoma in man.