Insulin-stimulated translocation of the fatty acid transporter CD36 to the plasma membrane is mediated by the small GTPase Rac1 in adipocytes.

Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) is a scavenger receptor (SR), recognizing diverse extracellular ligands in various types of mammalian cells. Long-chain fatty acids (FAs), which are important constituents of phospholipids and triglycerides, also utilize CD36 as a predominant membrane transporter, being incorporated from the circulation across the plasma membrane in several cell types, including cardiac and skeletal myocytes and adipocytes. CD36 is localized in intracellular vesicles as well as the plasma membrane, and its distribution is modulated by extracellular stimuli. Herein, we aimed to clarify the molecular basis of insulin-stimulated translocation of CD36, which leads to the enhanced uptake of long-chain FAs, in adipocytes. To this end, we developed a novel exofacial epitope-tagged reporter to specifically detect cell surface-localized CD36. By employing this reporter, we demonstrate that the small GTPase Rac1 plays a pivotal role in insulin-stimulated translocation of CD36 to the plasma membrane in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and the protein kinase Akt2 are shown to be involved in the regulation of Rac1. Downstream of Rac1, another small GTPase RalA directs CD36 translocation. Collectively, these results suggest that CD36 is translocated to the plasma membrane by insulin through mechanisms similar to those for the glucose transporter GLUT4 in adipocytes.