Lactate and Lactylation in the Brain: Current Progress and Perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Neuroscience
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Lactate is a key metabolite in energy metabolism and signaling, implicated in diseases like cancer and sepsis.
• Protein lactylation is an emerging epigenetic modification crucial for cellular functions.
• Lactate's role in brain physiology and pathology is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on lactylation in the brain.
• To elucidate the function of lactate and its receptors in brain function.
• To summarize lactylation levels in various brain diseases and discuss intervention strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on lactate metabolism and disease.
• Analysis of research on protein lactylation.
• Synthesis of findings on lactate and lactylation in brain tissues.

Main Results:

• Lactate acts as an energy substrate, signaling molecule, and regulator of protein lactylation.
• Lactylation is crucial for energy metabolism and signaling in brain tissues.
• Lactate and lactylation play significant roles in both physiological and pathological brain conditions.

Conclusions:

• Lactate and lactylation are critical regulators of brain function.
• Understanding lactylation offers potential therapeutic targets for brain diseases.
• Further research is needed to fully explore the mechanisms and applications of lactylation in the brain.