CD36 receptor and fatty acid transport, computer-generated molecular model. CD36 is a protein found in vertebrate cell membrane (lower part of image). It is involved in fatty acid metabolism and transport, innate immunity and formation of new blood vessels. It interacts with lipoprotein particles and facilitates uptake of long chain fatty acids such as palmitic acid (green, white and red). Fatty acids can be incorporated from oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) particles and pass through the central cavity of CD36 to the membrane. CD36 is also a target of the PfEMP1 proteins of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, tethering parasite-infected red blood cells to blood vessel walls.