Caveolae are 50-100 nm flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane that are primarily composed of cholesterol and sphingolipids. Using modern electron microscopy techniques, caveolae can be observed as omega-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane, fully-invaginated caveolae, grape-like clusters of interconnected caveolae (caveosome), or as transcellular channels as a consequence of the fusion of individual caveolae. The caveolin gene family consists of three distinct members, namely Cav-1, Cav-2 and Cav-3. Cav-1 and Cav-2 proteins are usually co-expressed and particularly abundant in epithelial, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells as well as adipocytes and fibroblasts. On the other hand, the Cav-3 protein appears to be muscle-specific and is therefore only expressed in smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscles. Caveolin proteins form high molecular weight homo- and/or hetero-oligomers and assume an unusual topology with both their N- and C-terminal domains facing the cytoplasm.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
ISBN-13
9781461412212
eBay Product ID (ePID)
178167443
Product Key Features
Author
Michael P. Lisanti, Philippe Frank, Jean-Francois Jasmin
Publication Name
Caveolins and Caveolae: Roles in Signaling and Disease Mechanisms
Format
Hardcover
Language
English
Subject
Medicine
Publication Year
2012
Type
Textbook
Number of Pages
184 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height
254mm
Item Width
178mm
Volume
729
Additional Product Features
Series Title
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Country/Region of Manufacture
United States
Editor
Michael P. Lisanti, Jean-Francois Jasmin, Philippe Frank