Fatty acid translocase (CD36) (CD36)

Fatty acid translocase (CD36) is a membrane protein that functions as a long-chain fatty acid transporter. It is present at the plasma membrane and in intracellular pools, including mitochondria of skeletal muscle. In mitochondria, CD36 facilitates the uptake of long-chain fatty acids for β‑oxidation—a critical process for energy production in tissues such as heart and muscle. Functional studies show that inhibition of CD36 significantly reduces mitochondrial palmitate oxidation, indicating its essential role in mitochondrial fatty acid import. The content of mitochondrial CD36 correlates with tissue capacity for fatty acid oxidation and can be dynamically regulated by physiological stimuli such as chronic or acute muscle stimulation[5]. Defects or deficiencies in proteins involved in mitochondrial fatty acid transport—including but not limited to CD36—are associated with metabolic diseases like hypoketotic hypoglycemia, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, and rhabdomyolysis[1][4].

Other names

FATCD36Fatty acid translocaseLong chain fatty acid transporter