Palmitoylation as a Signal for Delivery

The ligands and receptors in immune checkpoint signaling are typically transmembrane proteins, which may be regulated by palmitoylation as a reversible lipid modification. Our recent work demonstrated that palmitoylation reduces the lysosomal degradation of PD-L1 trafficking and may present a new therapeutic target. To facilitate future investigations on palmitoylation and immune checkpoints, here we summarize the molecular roles of palmitoylation on protein stability, trafficking, membrane association, and protein—protein interaction. The biological effects of palmitoylation are exemplified by well-studied substrates such as Ras, EGFR, and Wnt proteins. Finally, the strategies for targeting protein palmitoylation are discussed to facilitate future translational studies.