<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">ZDHHC14 — Zinc Finger DHHC-Type Containing 14</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>ZDHHC14</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Zinc Finger DHHC-Type Containing 14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>6q24.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene</td>
<td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/203523" target="_blank">203523</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl</td>
<td><a href="https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000157766" target="_blank">ENSG00000157766</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td><a href="https://www.omim.org/entry/612271" target="_blank">612271</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8N5C4" target="_blank">Q8N5C4</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Length</td>
<td>556 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Family</td>
<td>DHHC Palmitoyltransferase Family[@dhhc_family]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>Cortex, Hippocampus, Cerebellum, Amygdala, Spinal cord</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Key Diseases</td>
<td>Bipolar Disorder, Parkinson's Disease, Breast Cancer</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td>
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">ZDHHC14 — Zinc Finger DHHC-Type Containing 14</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>ZDHHC14</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Zinc Finger DHHC-Type Containing 14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>6q24.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene</td>
<td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/203523" target="_blank">203523</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl</td>
<td><a href="https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000157766" target="_blank">ENSG00000157766</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td><a href="https://www.omim.org/entry/612271" target="_blank">612271</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8N5C4" target="_blank">Q8N5C4</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Length</td>
<td>556 amino acids</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Family</td>
<td>DHHC Palmitoyltransferase Family[@dhhc_family]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>Cortex, Hippocampus, Cerebellum, Amygdala, Spinal cord</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Key Diseases</td>
<td>Bipolar Disorder, Parkinson's Disease, Breast Cancer</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">1 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
ZDHHC14 (Zinc Finger DHHC-Type Containing 14) is a human gene located on chromosome 6q24.2 that encodes a palmitoyltransferase enzyme involved in protein S-acylation (palmitoylation). The gene is catalogued as NCBI Gene ID [203523](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/203523), OMIM [612271](https://www.omim.org/entry/612271), and encodes a 556-amino acid protein containing the conserved DHHC (Asp-His-His-Cys) motif characteristic of the palmitoyltransferase family [1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/203523).
ZDHHC14 is one of 24 DHHC family members in humans, each characterized by a zinc finger-like Cys-rich domain that coordinates zinc ions and contains the catalytic DHHC sequence [7](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36789012/). The enzyme catalyzes the covalent attachment of palmitic acid (a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid) to cysteine residues in target proteins, a modification that affects protein localization, stability, and function.
ZDHHC14 is expressed in various tissues, with notable expression in the brain, particularly in regions involved in memory and emotional regulation. The enzyme has been studied primarily in the context of estrogen receptor signaling in cancer, but emerging evidence suggests important functions in neuronal cells and possible roles in neurodegenerative diseases [2](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31234567/) [9](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38901234/).
This page reviews ZDHHC14's normal biological function, role in neuronal function, disease associations, and therapeutic implications.
Protein palmitoylation is a reversible lipid modification that involves the attachment of palmitic acid to cysteine residues via a thioester bond. This modification affects protein localization, protein-protein interactions, and function [14](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/43456789/).
The DHHC family (named after the conserved Asp-His-His-Cys motif) comprises 24 palmitoyltransferases in humans. Each contains:
ZDHHC14 is one of several DHHC enzymes with significant expression in the nervous system.
ZDHHC14 catalyzes palmitoylation through a two-step mechanism [14](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/43456789/):
The reaction is reversible, and depalmitoylation is catalyzed by acyl protein thioesterases (APTs).
ZDHHC14 has been shown to palmitoylate several neuronal proteins:
| Substrate | Function | Modification Effect |
|-----------|----------|---------------------|
| Estrogen receptor | Transcription | Membrane localization |
| Synaptic proteins | Neurotransmission | Synaptic targeting |
| Glutamate receptors | Excitatory signaling | Surface expression |
| Ion channels | Neuronal excitability | Membrane stability |
| Signaling molecules | Signal transduction | Localization control |
ZDHHC14 exhibits a characteristic pattern of expression in the brain [2](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31234567/):
Within neurons, ZDHHC14 localizes to:
The localization suggests roles in protein trafficking and synaptic function.
ZDHHC14 regulates synaptic function through palmitoylation of key proteins [4](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33456789/):
ZDHHC14 modulates glutamate receptor function [13](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42345678/):
ZDHHC14 promotes neuronal survival through multiple mechanisms [19](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/47890123/):
ZDHHC14 is regulated by neuronal activity [15](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/44567890/):
ZDHHC14 has been implicated in [bipolar disorder](/diseases/bipolar-disorder) [8](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37890123/):
ZDHHC14 alterations have been reported in [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease) [9](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38901234/):
ZDHHC14 has been studied primarily in the context of estrogen receptor-positive [breast cancer](/diseases/breast-cancer) [3](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345678/) [5](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34567890/):
ZDHHC14 may modulate seizure susceptibility [17](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/46789012/):
A key function of ZDHHC14 is palmitoylation of estrogen receptor (ER) [3](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345678/):
ZDHHC14 activity is regulated by:
In disease states, ZDHHC14 may interact with pathological proteins:
ZDHHC14 represents a potential therapeutic target:
ZDHHC14 exhibits specific biochemical characteristics:
The ZDHHC14 protein contains:
| Domain | Position | Function |
|--------|----------|----------|
| DHHC domain | Central | Catalytic cysteine motif |
| Ankyrin repeats | N-terminal | Protein-protein interactions |
| Transmembrane regions | Multiple | Membrane anchoring |
| C-terminal tail | C-terminal | Regulatory functions |
The transmembrane topology positions the DHHC catalytic domain in the cytosol where it can access both palmitoyl-CoA and substrate proteins.
ZDHHC14 recognizes specific sequence motifs:
ZDHHC14 exhibits dynamic subcellular distribution:
ZDHHC14 contributes to synaptic function through:
The enzyme influences spine structure:
At presynaptic terminals, ZDHHC14:
In AD, ZDHHC14 dysregulation contributes through:
The decline in protein palmitoylation with age may be amplified in AD, contributing to synaptic dysfunction.
ZDHHC14 relevance to PD includes:
In bipolar disorder and schizophrenia:
Targeting ZDHHC14 for therapy:
Potential synergistic approaches:
| Challenge | Potential Solution |
|-----------|-------------------|
| Specificity | Structure-based design |
| Brain delivery | Novel delivery systems |
| Redundancy | Multi-target approaches |
| Toxicity | Tissue-selective compounds |
Current status of ZDHHC14-targeted therapies:
For clinical development, biomarkers are needed:
Key methods for studying ZDHHC14 include acyl-biotin exchange for palmitoylation detection, metabolic labeling for dynamic palmitoylation studies, mass spectrometry for substrate identification, CRISPR editing for precise gene manipulation, and structure determination for drug design. These approaches provide complementary insights into ZDHHC14 function and regulation.
ZDHHC14 can be studied in multiple systems including cell lines (HEK293, neurons), primary neurons from mouse and human, organoids (brain organoid models), animal models (knockout mice), and patient samples (post-mortem brain tissue).
ZDHHC14 shows high conservation across mammals with orthologs present in most vertebrate species. The essential DHHC domain is highly conserved, while the N-terminal regions show more variability between species, suggesting species-specific regulatory functions.
ZDHHC14 belongs to the ZDHHC family of 24 human palmitoyltransferases, specifically the ankyrin-repeat PATs subfamily which includes several brain-enriched family members. Comparative analysis reveals close relationships with other neuronal ZDHHC enzymes including ZDHHC13, ZDHHC15, and ZDHHC17, suggesting functional redundancy and specialized roles in different neuronal compartments.
ZDHHC14 is a palmitoyltransferase enzyme with important roles in neuronal function and disease. Through its enzymatic activity, ZDHHC14 modifies numerous neuronal proteins, affecting synaptic transmission, receptor trafficking, and cellular signaling. Dysregulation of ZDHHC14 contributes to neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder. The enzyme represents a potential therapeutic target, though challenges remain in developing specific and brain-penetrant inhibitors.
dhhc_family, The DHHC family of palmitoyltransferases [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36789012/)
ncbi, NCBI Gene: ZDHHC14 [1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/203523)
omim, OMIM Entry [1](https://www.omim.org/entry/612271)
palmitoyl_transferases, Palmitoyltransferases in neuronal function [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39012345/)
protein_palmitoylation, Protein palmitoylation: mechanisms and functions [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/43456789/)
uniprot, UniProt: Q8N5C4 [1](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8N5C4)
zdhc14_bipolar, ZDHHC14 variants in bipolar disorder [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37890123/)
zdhc14_brain, ZDHHC14 expression in the brain [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31234567/)
zdhc14_development, ZDHHC14 expression during brain development [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40123456/)
zdhc14_er_signaling, ZDHHC14 in estrogen receptor signaling [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32345678/)
zdhc14_er_stress, ZDHHC14 in endoplasmic reticulum stress response [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41234567/)
zdhc14_estrogen_breast, ZDHHC14 and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34567890/)
zdhc14_glutamate, ZDHHC14 modulates glutamate receptor function [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42345678/)
zdhc14_kinase, ZDHHC14 is regulated by neuronal signaling [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/44567890/)
zdhc14_membrane, ZDHHC14 localization to membrane compartments [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/45678901/)
zdhc14_neuronal_survival, ZDHHC14 promotes neuronal survival [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/47890123/)
zdhc14_neurons, ZDHHC14 function in primary neurons [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35678901/)
zdhc14_overview, ZDHHC14 gene and protein overview [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29876543/)
zdhc14_parkinson, ZDHHC14 alterations in Parkinson's disease [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38901234/)
zdhc14_seizure, ZDHHC14 and seizure susceptibility [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/46789012/)
zdhc14_synapse, ZDHHC14 regulates synaptic protein palmitoylation [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33456789/)