Emerging roles of α/β hydrolase domain (ABHD) proteins in S-palmitoylation modification: molecular mechanisms, structural features, and pathological implications

S-palmitoylation, a reversible post-translational modification, regulates critical biological processes and represents a promising therapeutic target for diverse human diseases. Over the past decade, human α/β hydrolase domain (ABHD) proteins have emerged as key regulators of the dynamic S-palmitoylation/depalmitoylation cycle, yet a systematic overview of their roles in this modification remains lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the functions of emerging ABHD proteins—including ABHD17A/B/C, ABHD16A, ABHD10, ABHD7, and ABHD8—in the dynamics of S-palmitoylation and depalmitoylation cycle, along with their molecular mechanisms, structural features, and substrate specificities. Associations between dysregulated ABHD protein-mediated S-palmitoylation and various diseases, including cancers, neurological disorders, degenerative diseases, viral infectious diseases, metabolic diseases, and reproductive disorders are discussed. Predictive criteria for uncharacterized ABHD proteins and prospective targeted therapeutic strategies are also proposed. This review provides mechanistic insights into emerging ABHD proteins in S-palmitoylation/depalmitoylation, and lays a foundation for developing novel diagnostic markers and precision therapies for S-palmitoylation-related diseases.