Effect of lactylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein on stemness expression of breast tumor stem cells

• Lactylation of MLKL at K230 is elevated in breast tumor stem cells and promotes their stemness. • K230R mutation of MLKL reduces cell migration, spheroid formation, and alters EMT marker expression. • MLKL lactylation at K230 enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition, contributing to tumor progression. • Targeting MLKL K230 lactylation may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.