# Succinylation: novel molecular mechanisms and prospects for targeted therapy in liver diseases

## TL;DR

This paper explores how a new protein modification called succinylation affects liver diseases and offers potential new treatments.

## Contribution

The paper systematically outlines the molecular mechanisms of succinylation and its role in liver diseases, proposing novel therapeutic strategies.

## Key findings

- Succinylation modulates metabolic enzymes and epigenetic status in liver diseases.
- It influences the immune microenvironment and contributes to disease progression.
- Potential therapies include drug repurposing and traditional Chinese medicinal compounds.

## Abstract

Succinylation is a novel post-translational modification involving the attachment of a negatively charged succinyl group to lysine residues, which fundamentally alters the structure and function of substrate proteins. The liver, the metabolic center of the body, is a critical target for succinylation because of its high metabolic activity. Growing evidence suggests that succinylation is a core pathological mechanism that bridges hepatic metabolic dysfunction and disease progression by modulating metabolic enzyme activity, influencing epigenetic status, and remodeling the immune microenvironment. This review aimed to systematically outline the molecular features and regulatory networks of succinylation, dissect its mechanistic roles in major liver diseases, and synthesize current therapeutic strategies, including clinical drug repurposing, small-molecule agents, and traditional Chinese medicinal compounds that target this modification. Collectively, these insights offer a novel theoretical framework and promising therapeutic direction for the management of liver diseases.

Circular infographic diagram illustrating the role of succinylation in liver diseases, featuring pathways such as metabolism, epigenetic regulation, immune microenvironment, hepatitis, NAFLD/MASLD, liver failure, liver fibrosis, and HCC, with labeled molecular structures, pathways, proteins, and traditional medicine graphics surrounding the central term “Succinylation.”