# FASEB's The Reversible Protein Acetylation in Health and Disease Conference

> **NIH NIH R13** · FEDERATION OF AMER SOC FOR EXPER BIOLOGY · 2021 · $8,000

## Abstract

Abstract
Over the past few years, the “epigenetic” regulation of the genome has become increasingly important to
understanding both the etiology and fundamental mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases. Key to
epigenetic regulation are two classes of lysine-modifying enzymes, the histone deacetylases (sirtuins and
HDACs) and the histone acetyltransferases (HATs), also known as erasers and writers, respectively. Acetyl-
lysine neutralizes the cationic charge relative to the naked Lys sidechain and also creates an attractive surface
for binding to proteins containing bromodomains, also known as reader proteins. These acetyl-Lys writers,
erasers, and readers are critical for maintaining normal expression patterns, cell cycle progression, DNA
repair, stem cells, mitochondria, cell fate, and differentiation. Alterations in the functions of these acetyl-Lys
related proteins have been linked to epigenetic silencing of gene expression including tumor suppressor
genes, leading to cancer cell proliferation. Moreover, changes in acetyl-Lys pathways are believed to
contribute to a variety of other diseases and aging mechanisms. Several broad spectrum HDAC inhibitors
have been approved by FDA to treat various cancers. Their precise molecular mechanisms in controlling
cancer and influencing other biomedical processes remain elusive. Targeting HATs and HDACs for therapeutic
purposes has been an area of great interest and success, and exciting new progress has also been made in
recent years in targeting interactions between readers and acetylated lysines in cancer and other diseases. As
the only conference dedicated to protein acetylation, this biannual meeting plays an essential role in bringing
together more than 40 world leaders and ~120 participants. A primary objective is to transfer knowledge and
foster collaboration between basic academic researchers, clinical scientists, and industrial researchers to
understand how lysine acetylation controls human health and how to prevent and treat a diverse set of cancers
and age-related diseases. A second objective is to foster the development and interests of younger
investigators to help support their career development. The participants stay and eat at the meeting venue so
they have ample time to for informal brainstorming and networking. There are 16 planned talks from junior
scientists selected from the submitted abstracts and poster prize winners, which is important for their career
development. We will also have a panel discussion on professional development and career options, aimed to
provide further support for the young investigators. Moreover, there will be a diversity networking session, and
multiple meet the speaker sessions that will be highlighted at the meeting. This meeting is particularly timely
because of a linkage of acetylation, metabolism, and cancer. Furthermore, exciting new fundamental
discoveries are continuing to be reported, such as the discovery of new lysine post-translational modif...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10230422
- **Project number:** 1R13CA260751-01
- **Recipient organization:** FEDERATION OF AMER SOC FOR EXPER BIOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jessica K Tyler
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $8,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10230422

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10230422, FASEB's The Reversible Protein Acetylation in Health and Disease Conference (1R13CA260751-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10230422. Licensed CC0.

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