Lactate and Lactylation in the Brain: Current Progress and Perspectives

As the final product of glycolysis, lactate features not only as an energy substrate, a metabolite, and a signaling molecule in a variety of diseases-such as cancer, inflammation, and sepsis-but also as a regulator of protein lactylation; this is a newly proposed epigenetic modification that is considered to be crucial for energy metabolism and signaling in brain tissues under both physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, evidence on lactylation from studies on lactate metabolism and disease has been summarized, revealing the function of lactate and its receptors in the regulation of brain function and summarizing the levels of lactylation expression in various brain diseases. Finally, the function of lactate and lactylation in the brain and the potential mechanisms of intervention in brain diseases are presented and discussed, providing optimal perspectives for future research on the role of lactylation in the brain.