Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular docking

Abstract Background Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory bowel disease. Recent studies have shown that lactylation modifications may be involved in metabolic-immune interactions in intestinal inflammation through epigenetic regulation, but their specific mechanisms in...

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Main Authors: Yao Yang, Xu Sun, Bin Liu, Yunshu Zhang, Tong Xie, Junchen Li, Jifeng Liu, Qingkai Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40360-025-00939-7
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author Yao Yang
Xu Sun
Bin Liu
Yunshu Zhang
Tong Xie
Junchen Li
Jifeng Liu
Qingkai Zhang
author_facet Yao Yang
Xu Sun
Bin Liu
Yunshu Zhang
Tong Xie
Junchen Li
Jifeng Liu
Qingkai Zhang
author_sort Yao Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory bowel disease. Recent studies have shown that lactylation modifications may be involved in metabolic-immune interactions in intestinal inflammation through epigenetic regulation, but their specific mechanisms in UC still require in-depth validation. Methods We conducted comparative analyses of transcriptomic profiles, immune landscapes, and functional pathways between UC and normal cohorts. Lactylation-related differentially expressed genes were subjected to enrichment analysis to delineate their mechanistic roles in UC. Through machine learning algorithms, the diagnostic model was established. Further elucidating the mechanisms and regulatory network of the model gene in UC were GSVA, immunological correlation analysis, transcription factor prediction, immunofluorescence, and single-cell analysis. Lastly, the CMap database and molecular docking technology were used to investigate possible treatment drugs for UC. Results Twenty-two lactylation-related differentially expressed genes were identified, predominantly enriched in actin cytoskeleton organization and JAK-STAT signaling. By utilizing machine learning methods, 3 model genes (S100A11, IFI16, and HSDL2) were identified. ROC curves from the train and test cohorts illustrate the superior diagnostic value of our model. Further comprehensive bioinformatics analyses revealed that these three core genes may be involved in the development of UC by regulating the metabolic and immune microenvironment. Finally, regorafenib and R-428 were considered as possible agents for the treatment of UC. Conclusion This study offers a novel strategy to early UC diagnosis and treatment by thoroughly characterizing lactylation modifications in UC.
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spelling doaj-art-dfa9b52c595c4d5aadbb719e5b142a8b2025-08-20T02:25:16ZengBMCBMC Pharmacology and Toxicology2050-65112025-05-0126111410.1186/s40360-025-00939-7Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular dockingYao Yang0Xu Sun1Bin Liu2Yunshu Zhang3Tong Xie4Junchen Li5Jifeng Liu6Qingkai Zhang7Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityInstitute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical UniversityHealth Team, The 92914th Military Hospital of PLAInstitute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDepartment of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityAbstract Background Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory bowel disease. Recent studies have shown that lactylation modifications may be involved in metabolic-immune interactions in intestinal inflammation through epigenetic regulation, but their specific mechanisms in UC still require in-depth validation. Methods We conducted comparative analyses of transcriptomic profiles, immune landscapes, and functional pathways between UC and normal cohorts. Lactylation-related differentially expressed genes were subjected to enrichment analysis to delineate their mechanistic roles in UC. Through machine learning algorithms, the diagnostic model was established. Further elucidating the mechanisms and regulatory network of the model gene in UC were GSVA, immunological correlation analysis, transcription factor prediction, immunofluorescence, and single-cell analysis. Lastly, the CMap database and molecular docking technology were used to investigate possible treatment drugs for UC. Results Twenty-two lactylation-related differentially expressed genes were identified, predominantly enriched in actin cytoskeleton organization and JAK-STAT signaling. By utilizing machine learning methods, 3 model genes (S100A11, IFI16, and HSDL2) were identified. ROC curves from the train and test cohorts illustrate the superior diagnostic value of our model. Further comprehensive bioinformatics analyses revealed that these three core genes may be involved in the development of UC by regulating the metabolic and immune microenvironment. Finally, regorafenib and R-428 were considered as possible agents for the treatment of UC. Conclusion This study offers a novel strategy to early UC diagnosis and treatment by thoroughly characterizing lactylation modifications in UC.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40360-025-00939-7Ulcerative colitisLactylationMachine learningBiomarkersMolecular docking
spellingShingle Yao Yang
Xu Sun
Bin Liu
Yunshu Zhang
Tong Xie
Junchen Li
Jifeng Liu
Qingkai Zhang
Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular docking
BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology
Ulcerative colitis
Lactylation
Machine learning
Biomarkers
Molecular docking
title Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular docking
title_full Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular docking
title_fullStr Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular docking
title_full_unstemmed Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular docking
title_short Identifying Lactylation-related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis: insights from machine learning and molecular docking
title_sort identifying lactylation related biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in ulcerative colitis insights from machine learning and molecular docking
topic Ulcerative colitis
Lactylation
Machine learning
Biomarkers
Molecular docking
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40360-025-00939-7
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