Biological Acetylation in Health and Disease - Epigenetic regulation plays fundamental roles in maintaining genome stability and cellular homeostasis. Its disruption contributes to cancer, aging and age-related diseases. Central to this regulation are two opposing families of lysine-modifying enzymes: histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs and sirtuins), also known as writers and erasers, respectively. Acetylation neutralizes the positive charge of lysine residues on histones, creating a binding surface for specific readers, such as bromodomain-containing proteins. Acetyl-lysine writers, erasers, and readers are critical for maintaining proper gene expression, cell cycle progression, DNA repair, mitochondrial function, and cell fate decisions, among other key biological processes. Dysregulation of these enzymes can epigenetically silence tumor suppressors and other critical genes, leading to oncogenesis, and contribute to metabolic, neurodegenerative, and other age-related disorders. Therapeutic targeting of HATs and HDACs represents an area of translational interest and success. For instance, HDAC inhibitors have been approved by the FDA to treat T-cell cancers and other conditions. However, their precise molecular mechanisms of action in killing cancer and modulating other biological processes remain incompletely understood. Importantly, in recent years exciting new progress has been made in targeting interactions between readers and acetyl-lysine residues in cancer and other diseases, e.g. with BET inhibitors. As the only conference dedicated to protein acetylation, this biannual meeting will convene over 100 basic, translational, and industrial scientists discussing important topics and latest advances in these fields. This meeting will also cover emerging areas, such as links between metabolism and acetylation, as well as recently-discovered new modifications (such as lactylation) and their roles in transcription, cell signaling, and other processes. A primary objective of the meeting is to foster collaborations between academic researchers, clinical scientists, and industrial researchers to accelerate our understanding of how lysine acetylation impacts human health, and approaches to targeting it to prevent and treat cancers and age-related diseases. A parallel objective is to cultivate the next generation of acetylation researchers in their career development. The meeting will feature 9 invited talks from junior scientists and over 20 short talks selected from submitted abstracts and poster-award winners. We will also hold a panel discussion focusing on professional development and career pathways, providing further support for the young investigators. Therefore, support is requested for the 10th biannual FASEB conference on “Reversible Protein Acetylation in Health and Disease”, to be held in Porto, Portugal on August 3-6, 2026.
