Two roles for caveolae in the cardiac myocyte?
The presence of caveolae in many cell types including heart myocytes is well established. It is hypothesized that caveolae may play a role in the storing of excess Ca2+ and may be instrumental in Ca2+ transients during contraction and relaxation in pathological conditions. Furthermore, the presence of substances in caveolae and in their membranes may imply a role in the importing and exporting of key molecules under physiological and pathological conditions. Secretory activity is also suggested by an electron micrograph of rat heart muscle.
Steinmann
C M
CM
Department of Physiology, University of Pretoria.
Lourens
N
N
Du Toit
P J
PJ
Theron
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*
D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D002118:Calcium