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Abstract only Palmitoylation is the reversible post-translational modification of proteins with fatty acids catalyzed by zDHHC S-acyltransferases that functions as a potent regulatory mechanism controlling protein trafficking and signal transduction. To investigate functions of palmitoylation in cardiac homeostasis and pathophysiology, we generated transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of the Golgi enzyme, zDHHC9, which was previously reported as the Ras S-acyltransferase and is associated with X-linked intellectual disability. Although we did not observe altered Ras palmitoylation, zDHHC9 transgenic mice develop age-dependent cardiac hypertrophy that progresses to functional decompensation and cardiomyopathy. We found palmitoylation of Rab3 GTPase activating protein 1 (Rab3gap1) was significantly elevated in zDHHC9 overexpressing hearts prior to disease onset concomitant with enhanced GTP-loading of Rab3a, suggesting zDHHC9-mediated palmitoylation impairs Rab3gap1-dependent nucleotide cycling on Rab3a. Consistent with this, zDHHC9 overexpression resulted in enhanced Rab3gap1 retention at the Golgi and expansion of Rab3a-positive vesicles at the cardiomyocyte periphery. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis in HEK293AD cells confirmed that zDHHC9 elevation diminishes interaction between active Rab3a and Rab3gap1. To interrogate roles of zDHHC9 in cardiomyocyte exocytosis, we assessed secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and surprisingly found that while zDHHC9 overexpression increased intracellular retention and reduced release of ANP, knockdown of zDHHC9 promoted phenylephrine-induced ANP secretion. Taken together, these data suggest zDHHC9-mediated palmitoylation of Rab3gap1 represses ANP secretion by disrupting GTP:GDP cycling on Rab3a necessary for release of ANP from secretory granules. These studies reveal unexpected functions for zDHHC9-mediated palmitoylation in modulation of secretory pathway flux and regulated hormone secretion via downstream impacts on Rab3a-mediated vesicle fusion and exocytosis and suggest novel roles for zDHHC9, Rab3gap1, and Rab3a in natriuretic peptide secretion.