Caveolae, caveolin and caveolin-rich membrane domains: a signalling hypothesis

Michael P. Lisanti, Philipp E. Scherer, ZhaoLan Tang, Massimo Sargiacomo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

603 Scopus citations

Abstract

Caveolae, 50-100 nm invaginations that represent a subcompartment of the plasma membrane, have been known for many years, but their exact roles remain uncertain. The findings that the caveola coat protein caveolin is a v-Src substrate and that G-protein-coupled receptors are present in caveolae have suggested a relationship between caveolae, caveolin and transmembrane signalling. The recent isolation of caveolin-rich membrane domains in which caveolin exists as a hetero-oligomeric complex with integral membrane proteins and known cytoplasmic signalling molecules provides support for this hypothesis. Compartmentalization of certain signalling molecules within caveolae could allow efficient and rapid coupling of activated receptors to more than one effector system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)231-235
Number of pages5
JournalTrends in Cell Biology
Volume4
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1994

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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