APT1-derived depalmitoylation of CD36 alleviates diabetes-induced lipotoxicity in podocytes

Cluster of Differentiation 36 (CD36), also known as scavenger receptor B2, plays a critical role in controlling podocyte lipid metabolism, mediating the onset and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the post-translational regulation of CD36 and its exact role in lipid transport within podocytes remain unclear. In this study, we elucidate the mechanism by which acyl-protein thioesterase 1 (APT1) depalmitoylates CD36 in podocytes. We reveal that APT1 interacts with CD36 and reduces its palmitoylation at Cys466 specifically, thereby promoting its trafficking from the plasma membrane to lysosomes for degradation. Diabetes-induced downregulation of APT1 redirects palmitoylated CD36 into the recycling pathway. Consequently, enhanced lipid uptake in podocytes leads to lipotoxicity. Conversely, APT1 overexpression mitigates lipid accumulation by enhancing lysosomal degradation and reducing plasma membrane-associated CD36. Our findings indicate that diabetes-induced APT1 deficiency promotes palmitoylated CD36 enrichment on plasma membranes through decreased APT1 expression, driving lipid overload and podocyte injury.