LDHA maintains the growth and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and promotes neointima formation via crosstalk between K5 crotonylation and K76 mono-ubiquitination

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under stress is believed to be a key factor in neointima formation. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), a key enzyme for glycolysis, has been demonstrated to promote the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. However, the mechanism by which LDHA regulates this process is still unclear. Here we show that the crotonylation and mono-ubiquitination of LDHA are increased in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced proliferative VSMCs. Crotonylation at lysine 5 (K5) activates LDHA through tetramer formation to enhance lactate production and VSMCs growth. Mono-ubiquitination at K76 induces the translocation of LDHA into mitochondria, which promotes mitochondria fission and subsequent the formation of lamellipodia and podosomes, thereby enhancing VSMC migration and growth. Furthermore, the increase of crotonylation and ubiquitination were also observed in the carotid arteries of ligation injury mice. Deletion of LDHA K5 crotonylation or K76 mono-ubiquitination decreases ligation-induced neointima formation. Our study reveals a novel mechanism that combines VSMC metabolic reprogramming and behavioral abnormity through crosstalk between LDHA K5 crotonylation and K76 mono-ubiquitination.