Lactylation of PFKP-K688 enhances glycolytic flux and confers cardioprotection in myocardial ischemia

Myocardial ischemia triggers metabolic reprogramming characterized by enhanced glycolysis and accumulation of lactic acid. However, the functional relevance of lactic acid-induced glycolysis-related protein lysine lactylation (Kla) remains poorly understood. In this study, utilizing both in vivo (LAD-operated mice) and in vitro (hypoxic AC16 cardiomyocytes) models, we have identified PFKP-K688 site lactylation (PFKP-K688la) as a crucial metabolic regulatory target in myocardial hypoxia. Using lactylome proteomics, we identified 521 Kla modified proteins, among which PFKP emerged as the primary target. Although PFKP protein levels remained unchanged under hypoxic conditions, its K688la modification increased, resulting in enhanced enzymatic activity. This modification increased glycolytic ECAR flux while concurrently suppressing mitochondrial respiration OCR. Nala elevates PFKP-Kla to rescue cardiomyocytes from hypoxic injury, thereby enhancing cell survival, restoring contractility, and reversing 2-DG-induced toxicity. Furthermore, the PFKP-K688E mutation, mimicking hyper-lactylation, further amplifies glycolysis. Our findings reveal a positive feedback loop in which hypoxia-induced lactate production promotes PFKP-K688 lactylation, thereby boosting glycolytic output and conferring cytoprotection, which may be a therapeutic target for ischemic cardiomyopathy.