Abstract
Caveolae (caveolin-containing lipid rafts) are plasma membrane domains that scaffold and organize a variety of important proteins in eukaryotic cells. Recent work shows that caveolins can act independently of caveolae, both in cells that lack caveolae (e.g. neurons and leukocytes) and in non-caveolar regions of cells that have caveolae (e.g. cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts). Phosphorylation of caveolins can influence the scaffolding of protein partners, and caveolins appear to participate in the protection and trafficking of proteins to and from the plasma membrane. Together, these results suggest that, despite their name, caveolins should now be thought of as proteins that scaffold signaling and other proteins in both caveolar and non-caveolar regions.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Motifs
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Animals
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Caveolae / physiology
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Caveolae / ultrastructure
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Caveolins / chemistry
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Caveolins / physiology*
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Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
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Cholesterol / metabolism
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Dogs
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Endosomes / chemistry
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Golgi Apparatus / chemistry
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Humans
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Leukocytes / metabolism
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Leukocytes / ultrastructure
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Membrane Lipids / metabolism
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Membrane Microdomains / physiology
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Molecular Chaperones / physiology
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
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Neurons / metabolism
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Neurons / ultrastructure
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Organ Specificity
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Phosphorylation
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Protein Processing, Post-Translational
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RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
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Rats
Substances
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Caveolins
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Membrane Lipids
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Molecular Chaperones
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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RNA, Small Interfering
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Cholesterol