Caveolae: stable membrane domains with a potential for internalization.
The role of caveolae in endocytosis is hotly debated. Here, we argue that most caveolae are stable microdomains at the cell surface. Only a small fraction of caveolae is constitutively internalized, leading to a quantitatively minor uptake of ligands and receptors. In addition, we suggest that a more pronounced downregulation of caveolae from the plasma membrane can occur, presumably stimulated by receptor cross-linking and clustering in caveolae. Finally, we propose that future studies dealing with internalization of caveolae should actually document such internalization and include kinetic data.
Hommelgaard
Anette M
AM
Structural Cell Biology Unit, Department of Medical Anatomy, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
Roepstorff
Kirstine
K
Vilhardt
Frederik
F
Torgersen
Maria L
ML
Sandvig
Kirsten
K
van Deurs
Bo
B
D021941:Caveolae / Q000378:metabolism*; D022461:Caveolins / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
D022461:Caveolins