Caveolin, caveolae, and endothelial cell function.
Caveolae are 50- to 100-nm cell-surface plasma membrane invaginations observed in terminally differentiated cells. They are particularly abundant in endothelial cells, where they are believed to play a major role in the regulation of endothelial vesicular trafficking and signal transduction. The use of caveolin-1-deficient mice has provided many new insights into the roles of caveolae and caveolin-1 in the regulation of endothelial cell function. These novel findings suggest an important role for caveolin-1 in the pathogenesis of cancer, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease.
Frank
Philippe G
PG
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Woodman
Scott E
SE
Park
David S
DS
Lisanti
Michael P
MP
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D021941:Caveolae / Q000502:physiology*; D022461:Caveolins / Q000502:physiology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D018056:Hemorheology; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000502:physiology; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D022461:Caveolins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III