Particular attention was paid to (1) the characteristics of CD36; (2) the role of CD36 in the pathogenesis of DM and its complications, including nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiomyopathy; (3) the possibility of using CD36 as a therapeutic target; and (4) plasma soluble CD36 (sCD36) as a marker of DM and related diseases. The gene discussed is CD36; the disease is diabetes mellitus.