Emerging roles of ATP citrate lyase in kidney diseases: from pathogenic driver to therapeutic target

ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) is a crucial cytosolic and nuclear enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of acetyl-CoA from citrate, serving as a central metabolic node linking carbohydrate metabolism to de novo lipogenesis and histone acetylation. Accumulating evidence positions ACLY not merely as a metabolic enzyme but as a key pathogenic driver in various kidney diseases. This review systematically examines the multifaceted roles of ACLY in renal physiology and pathology. During development, ACLY is essential for nephron progenitor cell maintenance and nephrogenesis. In diabetic kidney disease, hyperglycemia upregulates and promotes nuclear translocation of ACLY, fueling histone acetylation and the transcription of pro-fibrotic genes, while also contributing to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. In obesity-related kidney injury, ACLY drives renal ectopic lipid accumulation and inflammation by providing substrates for adipogenic enzymes and inducing histone hyperacetylation. ACLY also promotes renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease via pathways such as AKT/ACLY signaling. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma, ACLY expression is upregulated through HIF-2α/LPCAT1/FBXW7 and VHL/PPARγ axes, promoting lipid synthesis, tumor proliferation, and metastasis. Furthermore, ACLY activity influences hypocitraturia, a key factor in nephrolithiasis, and is upregulated in polycystic kidney disease, where its inhibition attenuates cystic growth. Given its central role across diverse renal pathologies, ACLY emerges as a promising therapeutic target. Several inhibitors, including bempedoic acid, SB-204990, and natural compounds, show potential in modulating ACLY activity. This review consolidates current knowledge on ACLY in kidney diseases, highlighting its mechanistic contributions, and underscoring its significant potential for diagnostic and therapeutic innovation.