Abstract
Caveolae are small vesicular invaginations of the cell membrane. It is within this organelle that cells perform transcytosis, potocytosis and signal transduction. These 'little caves' are composed of a mixture of lipids and proteins unlike those found in the plasma membrane proper. The chief structural proteins of caveolae are caveolins. To date, three caveolins (Cav-1, -2 and -3) with unique tissue distributions have been identified. Caveolins form a scaffold onto which many signalling molecules can assemble, to generate pre-assembled signalling complexes. In addition to concentrating these signal transducers within a distinct region of the plasma membrane, caveolin binding may functionally regulate the activation state of caveolae-associated signalling molecules.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 457-463 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Cellular Signalling |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1998 |
Keywords
- Caveolae
- Caveolin proteins
- Cell transformation
- Oncogenes
- Signal transduction
- Tumor suppression
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cell Biology