Lactate as a myokine and exerkine: drivers and signals of physiology and metabolism

Lactate sensing and signaling is a relatively new and rapidly changing field. As a physiological signal lactate works both independently and in concert with other signals. Lactate operates via covalent binding and canonical signaling, redox change, and lactylation of DNA. Lactate can also serve as an element of feedback loops in cardiopulmonary regulation. From conception through aging lactate is not the only a myokine or exerkine, but it certainly deserves consideration as a physiological signal.