title: Caveolae, transmembrane signalling and cellular transformation.
abstract: Caveolae are approximately 50-100 nm membrane micro-invaginations associated with the plasma membrane of a wide variety of cells. Although they were first identified in transmission electron micrographs approximately 40 years ago, their exact function(s) has remained controversial. Two well-established functions include: (1) the transcytosis of both large and small molecules across capillary endothelial cells and (2) the utilization of GPI-linked proteins to concentrate small molecules in caveolae for translocation to the cytoplasm (termed potocytosis). Recently, interest in a 'third' proposed caveolar function, namely transmembrane signalling, has been revived by the identification of caveolin--a transformation-dependent v-Src substrate and caveolar marker protein--and the isolation of caveolin-rich membrane domains from cultured cells. Here we will discuss existing evidence that suggests a role for caveolae in signalling events.
authors.affiliation: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142-1479, USA.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lisanti
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kübler
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Koleske
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sargiacomo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D051242:Caveolin 1; D022461:Caveolins; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D051242:Caveolin 1; D022461:Caveolins; D008565:Membrane Proteins