Protein mediated fatty acid uptake: synergy between CD36/FAT-facilitated transport and acyl-CoA synthetase-driven metabolism.

•Exogenous expression of CD36 or acyl-CoA synthetases increases oleate uptake.•Molar amounts of overexpressed CD36, FATP4 and ACSL1 were determined.•CD36 enhances oleate uptake more efficiently than FATP4 or ACSL1 at the molecular level.•CD36 acts synergistically with FATP4 or ACSL1, but without physical interaction.•We suggest that transport and metabolism may be functionally linked physiologically.