What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Metabolic Syndrome Risk: 10/10 evidence, 23 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Typical Metabolic and Lipid Profile
Standard CD36 protein expression maintains typical lipid levels. This results in a baseline risk for metabolic syndrome.
What this genotype means: Typical metabolic syndrome risk; Standard HDL and triglyceride levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Optimal Lipid Profile and Strong Metabolic Protection
Complete CD36 protein deficiency significantly alters lipid metabolism. This genotype is associated with the highest HDL cholesterol levels and the lowest triglycerides.
What this genotype means: Strong protection against metabolic syndrome; Highest HDL cholesterol levels; Lowest triglyceride levels.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/G
Improved Lipid Profile and Lower Metabolic Risk
A single copy of the G allele reduces CD36 protein expression. This reduction is associated with higher HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides.
What this genotype means: Reduced risk of metabolic syndrome; Elevated HDL cholesterol; Decreased triglycerides.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The CD36 gene encodes a membrane glycoprotein that acts as a receptor for free fatty acids and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. It plays a key role in lipid metabolism, heart health, and immune response. By facilitating the uptake of long-chain fatty acids, CD36 influences energy production and fat storage across various tissues. Variations in this gene can significantly alter blood lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk factors.
Variant Impact: The rs3211938 variant is a nonsense mutation (p.Tyr325Ter) that introduces a premature stop codon, leading to a truncated, non-functional CD36 protein. This genetic change results in a deficiency of the CD36 receptor on cell surfaces. It is primarily found in individuals of African ancestry and is virtually absent in European and East Asian populations. The loss of functional CD36 alters how the body processes circulating fats, leading to higher HDL and lower triglycerides.
Key Insight: A genetic mutation that causes a protein deficiency actually improves cardiovascular lipid profiles, raising good HDL cholesterol and lowering triglycerides.
Location: CD36. Chromosome 7 · 7q21.11 · 80.7 Mb
Origin Story: This variant underwent positive selection in West African populations, likely because CD36 serves as a cell-surface receptor for malaria-infected red blood cells, meaning its deficiency historically altered malaria susceptibility.
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 95.3%; European > 99.9%; African 83.3%; East Asian 100.0%; South Asian 99.9%; Americas 98.9%; Ashkenazi 100.0%; Finnish 100.0%; Middle Eastern 100.0%; Amish 100.0%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Global 4.5%; European < 0.1%; African 15.9%; East Asian 0.0%; South Asian 0.1%; Americas 1.1%; Ashkenazi 0.0%; Finnish 0.0%; Middle Eastern 0.0%; Amish 0.0%.
Estimated TG genotype frequency.
Global 0.2%; European < 0.1%; African 0.8%; East Asian 0.0%; South Asian < 0.1%; Americas < 0.1%; Ashkenazi 0.0%; Finnish 0.0%; Middle Eastern 0.0%; Amish 0.0%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Metabolic Syndrome & Insulin Resistance
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 20935172. Typical Risk.
Lipids & Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 37669986. Typical.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 37669986. Typical.
Coagulation & Clotting
Platelet CD36 Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 35870639. Normal.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 20935172. Lowest Risk.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 37669986. Highest.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 37669986. Lowest.
Platelet CD36 Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 35870639. Deficient.
Showing effects for T/G genotype
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 20935172. Lower Risk.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 37669986. Higher.
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 37669986. Lower.
Platelet CD36 Levels. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 35870639. Reduced.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Normal CD36 protein expression allows standard cellular uptake of long-chain fatty acids. This baseline activity maintains typical levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. Consequently, cardiovascular and metabolic risk profiles remain at the population average. Platelet glycoprotein levels are fully preserved under this genotype. No evolutionary selection pressure is active for this standard sequence in modern cohorts.
Typical metabolic syndrome risk; Standard HDL and triglyceride levels.
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Complete CD36 protein deficiency prevents the receptor from binding and transporting long-chain fatty acids. This metabolic block leads to a highly favorable lipid profile, featuring elevated HDL cholesterol and reduced triglycerides. The resulting metabolic shift provides strong protection against metabolic syndrome. Platelets completely lack the CD36 glycoprotein under this genotype. Although historically selected in malaria-endemic regions, modern clinical outcomes are overwhelmingly characterized by this unique lipid-clearing advantage.
Strong protection against metabolic syndrome; Highest HDL cholesterol levels; Lowest triglyceride levels; Complete platelet CD36 deficiency.
Sample genotype: TG (Heterozygous)
Partial CD36 protein deficiency alters how cells process circulating lipids. A single copy of the G allele is linked to a more favorable cardiovascular profile, characterized by higher HDL cholesterol and lower triglycerides. This shift contributes to a reduced overall risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Platelet surface expression of CD36 is also moderately decreased. This genetic signature shows evidence of historical positive selection in West African populations.
Reduced risk of metabolic syndrome; Elevated HDL cholesterol; Decreased triglycerides.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs6961069 · CD36 Gene · Chr 7 · Platelet and Protein Levels
rs75326924 · CD36 Gene · Chr 7 · Platelet CD36 Deficiency
rs1761667 · CD36 Gene · Chr 7 · Fat Taste Sensitivity
Content updated August 2026.
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