Lactate-mediated lactylation in human health and diseases: Progress and remaining challenges

Background: Lactate was once considered as metabolic waste for a long time. In 2019, Professor Zhao Yingming's team from the University of Chicago found that lactate could also be used as a substrate to induce histone lactylation and regulate gene expression. Since then, researchers have discovered that lactate-mediated lactylation play important regulatory roles in various physiological and pathological processes.

Aim of review: In this review, we aim to discuss the roles and mechanisms of lactylation in human health and diseases, as well as the effects of lactylation on proteins and metabolic modulators targeting lactylation.

Key scientific concepts of review: In this work, we emphasize the crucial regulatory roles of lactylation in the development of numerous physiological and pathological processes. Of relevance, we discuss the current issues and challenges pertaining to lactylation. This review provides directions and a theoretical basis for future research and clinical translation of lactylation.