Palmitoyltransferase that catalyzes the addition of palmitate onto various protein substrates and therefore functions in several unrelated biological processes (Probable). Through the palmitoylation of ABCA1 regulates the localization of the transporter to the plasma membrane and thereby regulates its function in cholesterol and phospholipid efflux (Probable). Could also pamitoylate the D(2) dopamine receptor DRD2 and regulate its stability and localization to the plasma membrane (Probable). Could also play a role in glutamatergic transmission (By similarity). (Microbial infection) Able to palmitoylate SARS coronavirus-2/SARS-CoV-2 spike protein following its synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the infected cell, promotes spike biogenesis by protecting it from premature ER degradation, increases half-life and controls the lipid organization of its immediate membrane environment. Once the virus has formed, spike palmitoylation controls fusion with the target cell. hexadecanoyl-CoA + L-cysteinyl-[protein] = CoA + S-hexadecanoyl-L-cysteinyl-[protein] Widely expressed. The DHHC domain is required for palmitoyltransferase activity. According to initial studies, defects in ZDHHC8 may contribute to susceptibility to schizophrenia (PubMed:15489219, PubMed:15184899). However, additional studies could not confirm this (PubMed:15992527, PubMed:15631889, PubMed:16150541). Belongs to the DHHC palmitoyltransferase family. ERF2/ZDHHC9 subfamily. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus.