Zinc finger DHHC-type containing 2 emerges as a novel therapeutic target in osteoarthritis pathogenesis: genome-wide data analysis in European populations

• ZDHHC2 is identified as a novel key drug target for palmitoylation-regulated osteoarthritis via Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses. • ZDHHC3 shows a strong interaction with ZDHHC2, suggesting a synergistic role in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. • The study integrates palmitoylation genes with druggable genome data to uncover potential therapeutic targets. • Findings provide a genetic basis for future personalized and precise osteoarthritis treatment strategies.