[Research Progress on Glycolytic Reprogramming and Lactylation Crosstalk in Tumors].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Cancer cells exhibit metabolic reprogramming, notably the Warburg effect, leading to lactate accumulation.
• Lactate is now recognized not just as a metabolic byproduct but as a key signaling molecule.
• Lactylation, a post-translational modification induced by lactate, impacts protein function and gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the bidirectional regulatory network between glycolytic reprogramming and lactylation in cancer.
• To elucidate the role of the glycolysis-lactylation axis in tumor progression.
• To highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting this axis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and systematic analysis of existing research on cancer metabolism and lactylation.
• Exploration of regulatory mechanisms involving 'writer', 'eraser', and 'reader' proteins.
• Analysis of the feedback loop between glycolysis and lactylation.

Main Results:

• Glycolytic regulators enhance lactate production, increasing lactylation.
• Lactylation feedback regulates glycolytic enzymes, forming a pro-tumorigenic loop.
• This axis is crucial for tumor proliferation, metastasis, DNA repair, and immune evasion.

Conclusions:

• The glycolysis-lactylation axis is a central driver of tumor progression.
• Targeting lactate production, transport, or lactylation presents promising anti-cancer strategies.
• This axis offers potential synergistic effects with therapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors.