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A small protein affects your fat metabolism and blood sugar: the amazing functions of CD36!
In the human body, there is a protein called CD36, and its influence cannot be ignored. Although this small protein is primarily found on the surface of cells, it plays a crucial role in fat metabolism and blood sugar regulation. CD36 is not only a carrier of fatty acids, but also plays a key role in the development of many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
CD36 is an integral membrane protein that can bind to a variety of ligands, including collagen, low-density lipoprotein and long-chain fatty acids, thereby affecting fat metabolism.
From a genetic perspective, CD36 is encoded on the long arm of the human chromosome. It consists of 15 exons and is responsible for the synthesis of 476 amino acids. The proteins composed of these amino acid arrangements undergo post-translational modifications such as glycosylation to diversify their functions. The three-dimensional structure of CD36 shows that it has a "hairpin-like" structure, which helps it transport fatty acids across the cell membrane.
The function of CD36 is not limited to the absorption of fatty acids, it plays an important role in multiple physiological and pathological processes. Research shows that CD36 is involved in regulating diabetes, fat metabolism, inflammatory response and other aspects. On macrophages, CD36 can assist in phagocytosis of bacteria and other foreign substances, a process that requires the activation of multiple signaling pathways.
Lab mice lacking CD36 did poorly against malaria infection, showing that CD36 also has a role in the immune response.
In addition, CD36 expression is closely related to blood pressure, obesity and cancer risk. Many studies have pointed out that low expression of CD36 is associated with the genetic risk of hypertension. In studies of human obesity, differences in CD36 expression are also directly related to sensitivity to fat taste. These studies suggest that CD36 may become a new target for the treatment of obesity, and future studies are expected to further reveal its potential role in weight control.
CD36 is also eye-catching in cancer research. Studies have shown that it plays a role in tumor angiogenesis and is closely related to the migration and proliferation of certain cancer cells. This makes CD36 a possible anti-cancer therapeutic target, especially in the study of malignant tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma.
Research has pointed out that CD36 not only affects the development of cancer, but also plays an important role in cell aging and regeneration.
With the in-depth study of CD36, we can't help but ask: How much potential can this tiny protein play in the management of health and disease in the future?
