Unlocking the Hidden Potential of Cancer Therapy Targeting Lysine Succinylation

Lysine succinylation is an emerging post-translational modification of proteins. It involves the addition of the succinyl group to lysine residues of target proteins through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. This modification can alter the structure of the target protein, which, in turn, impacts protein activity and function and is involved in a wide range of diseases. In the field of cancer biology, lysine succinylation has been shown to exert a substantial influence on metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, regulation of gene expression, and activation of oncogenic signaling pathways. Furthermore, lysine succinylation modulates the activity of immune cells, thereby affecting the immune evasion of tumor cells. Notably, researchers are currently developing inhibitors and activators of lysine succinylation which can inhibit tumor cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis, with potential usefulness in future clinical practice. This article provides an overview of the biological functions of lysine succinylation in cancer and its potential applications in cancer treatment, offering a novel perspective for future cancer management.