biostudies-literatureZheng CNational Key R&D Program of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Key Research and Development Program of Chinae2416467https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11984883biostudies-literatureUnknown12(14)Lactate derived from aerobic glycolysis is crucial for DNA damage repair and chemoresistance. Nevertheless, it is frequently noted that cancer cells depend on glutaminolysis to replenish essential metabolites. Whether and how glutaminolysis might enhance lactate production and facilitate DNA repair in cancer cells remains unknown. Here, it is shown that malate enzyme 2 (ME2), which metabolizes glutamine-derived malate to pyruvate, contributes to lactate production and chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Mechanistically, chemotherapy reduces the expression of glucose transporters and impairs glucose uptake in cancer cells. The resultant decrease in intracellular glucose levels triggers the acetylation of ME2 at lysine 156 by ACAT1, which in turn potentiates ME2 enzyme activity and faAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)ACAT1-Mediated ME2 Acetylation Drives Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer by Linking Glutaminolysis to Lactate Production.PMC11984883824728482021YFA09116008220284182272646Li HLiu JXu MLi JTan HZhou ZZhu JPan CHuang XLu JZheng CChen SNiu GfalseACAT1-Mediated ME2 Acetylation Drives Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer by Linking Glutaminolysis to Lactate Production.Lactate derived from aerobic glycolysis is crucial for DNA damage repair and chemoresistance. Nevertheless, it is frequently noted that cancer cells depend on glutaminolysis to replenish essential metabolites. Whether and how glutaminolysis might enhance lactate production and facilitate DNA repair in cancer cells remains unknown. Here, it is shown that malate enzyme 2 (ME2), which metabolizes glutamine-derived malate to pyruvate, contributes to lactate production and chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer. Mechanistically, chemotherapy reduces the expression of glucose transporters and impairs glucose uptake in cancer cells. The resultant decrease in intracellular glucose levels triggers the acetylation of ME2 at lysine 156 by ACAT1, which in turn potentiates ME2 enzyme activity and fa2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Apr2025-06-26T03:05:38.366Z2025-06-26T03:05:38.366ZS-EPMC119848833995129410.1002/advs.202416467