CD36 Activators

CD36 is a scavenger receptor involved in various cellular processes, including lipid uptake, cell adhesion, and innate immunity. This transmembrane glycoprotein is ubiquitous in various cell types, including adipocytes, monocytes, and platelets. Its role in fatty acid uptake makes it an important player in lipid metabolism. Chemicals activating CD36 mostly aim to either enhance its expression on the cell membrane or increase its affinity to bind ligands like long-chain fatty acids. Palmitic acid, for instance, is a natural ligand that directly engages CD36, thereby driving downstream cellular events like lipid uptake and signaling. In contrast, compounds like Fenofibrate and WY-14643 act through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), leading to increased CD36 expression.

Anisomycin and Thapsigargin focus on intracellular pathways, either affecting calcium levels or activating kinases that then affect CD36 function. This is particularly insightful because it suggests a broad but interconnected range of chemical tactics for activating CD36. For instance, Cerulenin leads to an increase in CD36 surface expression by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis, thereby shifting cellular machinery to uptake fatty acids from the external environment. Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, is intriguing for its ability to activate the AMPK pathway, which is known to regulate CD36 expression.