Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
05:58
Site-Specific Lysine Lactylation via Genetic Code Expansion in E. coli and Mammalian Cells
Published on: February 24, 2026
Research progress of lactylation modification in tumors (Review)
1Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China.
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Lactic acid, once just a metabolic byproduct, is now recognized as a key signaling molecule. Its modification, lactylation, plays a crucial role in tumor progression by influencing metabolism, immunity, and cell communication.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Lactic acid was historically viewed solely as a glycolysis byproduct.
- Emerging research highlights lactic acid's role as a multifunctional signaling molecule.
- It influences energy, immunity, intercellular communication, and metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery and research advances of lactylation.
- To explore the role of lactylation in tumor metabolism, immunity, metastasis, and proliferation.
- To highlight lactylation's significance in the tumor microenvironment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on lactylation.
- Analysis of research on protein modifications in tumors.
- Synthesis of findings on lactylation's impact across various cancers.
Main Results:
- Lactylation is a posttranslational protein modification.
- It regulates the acidic tumor microenvironment, gene expression, and immune signaling.
- Lactylation promotes tumor survival and progression.
- Specific mechanisms regulating histone and non-histone lactylation are under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Lactylation is a critical factor in tumor progression and the tumor microenvironment.
- Understanding lactylation offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer.
- Further in-depth investigation into lactylation's role in tumors is warranted.
