KAT8-mediated MDH2 lactylation promotes renal cancer progression by enhancing mitochondrial function and stress resistance

Non-histone proteins localized in membrane, cytosol and nucleus are lactylated to promote tumor progression. However, whether mitochondrial proteins undergo lactylation and contribute to tumor progression remains unexplored. Here, we identified multiple lactylated mitochondrial proteins in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells using lactylome profiling. Among these, malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2)–the only lactylated protein in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle–emerged as a key target, with K239 as its lactylation site. MDH2 K239la levels are regulated by KAT8 and SIRT3. Under low-glucose, high-lactate conditions mimicking the tumor microenvironment, MDH2 K239la elevated the NADH/NAD + ratio to drive ATP production and boosted NADPH generation to reduce ROS. This enables cells to alleviate oxidative stress, sustain mitochondrial function, and promote RCC malignancy in vitro and in vivo . Mechanistically, MDH2 K239la enhances MDH2 enzymatic activity and strengthens its interaction with the citrate transporter SLC25A1. This facilitates citrate efflux, fueling IDH1-dependent NADPH production when lactate serves as an energy source. Collectively, we unveil a lactylation-dependent mechanism that reprograms mitochondrial metabolism to confer oxidative stress resistance and drive RCC progression. Targeting mitochondrial proteins lactylation, exemplified by MDH2 K239la , represents a promising therapeutic strategy for RCC.