High levels of histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation (H3 K18 la) in colorectal cancer cells are caused by aerobic glycolysis, which stimulates the transcription of RUBCNL; this promotes autophagy by facilitating the maturation of autophagosomes, and it also plays a role in the carcinogenesis and spread of colorectal cancer. The gene discussed is RUBCNL; the disease is colorectal cancer.