The secret life of lactate: A novel cell-cycle regulatory mechanism

Recently, Liu et al. uncovered an unexpected L-lactate-Zn2+ interaction in the active site of the deSUMOylating enzyme SENP1 that triggers a sequence of events that lead to mitotic exit. This study opens the door to new research avenues of metabolite-metal interactions controlling cellular decisions and functions. Recently, Liu et al. uncovered an unexpected L-lactate-Zn2+ interaction in the active site of the deSUMOylating enzyme SENP1 that triggers a sequence of events that lead to mitotic exit. This study opens the door to new research avenues of metabolite-metal interactions controlling cellular decisions and functions.