The Role of Protein Lactylation Modification in Parkinson's Disease: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Potential

Lactylation, a recently discovered post-translational modification driven by lactate, has been shown to regulate cell metabolism, gene expression, and immune responses. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss, α-synuclein aggregation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Current experimental models provide strong evidence for a link between lactylation and the pathogenesis of PD and identify potential therapeutic targets. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), commonly used in PD treatment, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. However, the role of lactylation in TCM-based therapeutic strategies for PD remains unclear. This review examines the discovery, occurrence, and regulatory mechanisms of lactylation, as well as its potential role in preventing or slowing the pathological progression of PD.