Regulation of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis mediated by acetylation

Acetylation is an important post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins and plays critical roles in multiple biological processes. The modes of cell death represent different pathways leading to the final outcome of "death" for the cell, with apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis being the most common forms of cell death. In recent years, research has found that acetylation modifications influence various biological processes, ultimately playing a role in the regulation of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. This article introduces the molecular effects of acetylation and enzyme/non-enzyme regulation, systematically summarizing the regulatory mechanisms of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. It ultimately focuses on the genes and proteins associated with the regulation of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis, providing a comprehensive explanation of how acetylation regulates these processes. Given that the mode of cell death may be singular or coexist with two or more types in certain diseases, this article aims to conduct an in-depth analysis of the regulatory role of a specific PTM of proteins (acetylation) on different cell death pathways. Furthermore, it seeks to summarize potential key pathways or targets through which acetylation influences the interplay of various cell death mechanisms. By intervening in multiple cell death pathways, this study aims to provide insights for the prevention and treatment of tumors and cardiovascular diseases, both of which are closely related to outcomes associated with cell death.