基本説明
Discusses pleiotropic functions of caveolae and caveolin proteins. Presents the role and function of caveolae and caveolins in cell signaling and human disease mechanisms.
Full Description
Caveolae are 50-100 nm flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane that are primarily composed of cholesterol and sphingolipids. Using modern electron microscopy techniques, caveolae can be observed as omega-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane, fully-invaginated caveolae, grape-like clusters of interconnected caveolae (caveosome), or as transcellular channels as a consequence of the fusion of individual caveolae. The caveolin gene family consists of three distinct members, namely Cav-1, Cav-2 and Cav-3. Cav-1 and Cav-2 proteins are usually co-expressed and particularly abundant in epithelial, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells as well as adipocytes and fibroblasts. On the other hand, the Cav-3 protein appears to be muscle-specific and is therefore only expressed in smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscles. Caveolin proteins form high molecular weight homo- and/or hetero-oligomers and assume an unusual topology with both their N- and C-terminal domains facing the cytoplasm.
Contents
Lipid Rafts, Caveolae and GPI‑Linked Proteins.- Caveolae and the Regulation of Endocytosis.- Caveolin‑1: Role in Cell Signaling.- Regulation of eNOS in Caveolae.- Recent Developments in the Interactions Between Caveolin and Pathogens.- Caveolin‑1 and Breast Cancer: A New Clinical Perspective.- Caveolin‑1 and Prostate Cancer Progression.- Caveolins and Caveolae, Roles in Insulin Signalling and Diabetes.- Atherosclerosis, Caveolae and Caveolin‑1.- Caveolins and Heart Diseases.- Caveolins and Lung Function.
