Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Optimized Incorporation of Alkynyl Fatty Acid Analogs for the Detection of Fatty Acylated Proteins using Click Chemistry
Published on: April 9, 2021
The role of protein palmitoylation in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic innovation
Xinyue Lin1, Jinshan Xing2, Keran Jia3
1Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
Background:
Protein palmitoylation is a significant post-translational modification that influences protein stability, localization, and signaling through the addition of palmitoyl groups to cysteine, serine/threonine, or lysine residues. It is facilitated by palmitoyltransferases (e.g. zDHHC family) and reversed by depalmitoylases such as APT1/2. Dysregulation of this modification has been associated with several diseases, including diabetes and cancer.
Objective:
This review aims to evaluate the role of palmitoylation in metabolic disorders and cancer, as well as to assess recent therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting this modification.
Methods:
A literature review was conducted focusing on the implications of S-palmitoylation, N-palmitoylation, and O-palmitoylation in various diseases, and the effectiveness of recent therapeutic approaches that target these pathways.
Conclusion:
Findings highlight the critical role of palmitoylation in disease mechanisms and therapeutic potentials. While promising strategies have emerged, challenges remain in developing selective inhibitors for the zDHHC enzymes. Ongoing research is necessary to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms and advance drug development tailored to manage metabolic diseases and cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets
The Proteasome
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. This involves participation of a series of enzymes including— E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 (ubiquitin...
The Proteasome
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. A series of enzymes carry out the ubiquitination of the target proteins - E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...

