Enolase in the avian and turtle lens.

Enolase is a dimeric enzyme of molecular weight of 100,000 daltons, which plays an important role in the glycolytic cycle. The aim of this study was to characterize the enzyme of the chicken lens epithelium and to compare its distribution in different regions of the chicken, duck and turtle lens. Enolase of the chicken lens epithelium was found to be an enzymatically active dimeric protein of molecular weight 100,000 daltons and representing alpha-enolase. It is a major component of the epithelium comprising 4%, 12% and 46% of the water-soluble protein of chicken, duck and turtle epithelium respectively. Enolase is found in trace amount in the fiber cells of the chicken and duck, but is retained in much greater concentration in the turtle fiber mass as a predominantly inactive enzyme.