Abstract

MATUS-ORTEGA, Genaro et al. The metabolic, endocrine and regulatory functions of lactate gene expression. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2020, vol.63, n.5, pp.7-17.  Epub Mar 05, 2021. ISSN 2448-4865.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fm.24484865e.2020.63.5.02.

Lactate is considered to be a waste metabolite produced during muscle fatigue. In contrast with this simplistic point of view, in this review we provide evidence of the multiple and complex functions of this metabolite. We show that: 1) lactate is the final product of the glycolysis regardless the oxygen concentration in the cell 2) lactate is part of two types of shuttle, one that functions in the intermembrane space of the mitochondrion, and another intercellular, which is responsible for feeding lactate to certain cell types, such as neurons or heart muscle, 3) in sperm, lactate is transported directly to the mitochondrial matrix and there it is oxidized to produce pyruvate and NADH, 4) in the liver, lactate participates in the oxidation of ethanol through the generation of hydrogen peroxide, 5) Depending on the cell line, lactate can function as anti-inflammatory agent (endocrine) and/or a regulator of gene expression.

Keywords : Lactic fermentation; hypoxia; muscle fatigue; gene regulator.