Open AccessCaveolin‐1: an ambiguous partner in cell signalling and cancer
Author(s) -
Quest Andrew F. G.,
GutierrezPajares Jorge L.,
Torres Vicente A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00331.x
Subject(s) - caveolae , caveolin , microbiology and biotechnology , transcytosis , caveolin 3 , biology , signal transduction , context (archaeology) , caveolin 1 , cell type , cancer cell , cell , endocytosis , cancer , biochemistry , genetics , paleontology
• Introduction • The caveolins • Caveolin‐1 in cell physiology ‐ Caveolin‐1 distribution ‐ Caveolin‐1 and internalization ‐ Caveolin‐1 and cholesterol ‐ Regulation of caveolin‐1 expression ‐ Caveolin‐1 in signal transduction ‐ Alternative mechanisms of caveolin‐1‐mediated control in signalling ‐ Control of transcription ‐ Other modes of control ‐ Cell proliferation ‐ Cell death and apoptosis• Caveolin‐1 in cancer ‐ The tumour suppressor hypothesis ‐ Caveolin‐1 in multi‐drug resistance and metastasis• Concluding remarksAbstract Caveolae are small plasma membrane invaginations that have been implicated in a variety of functions including transcytosis, potocytosis and cholesterol transport and signal transduction. The major protein component of this compartment is a family of proteins called caveolins. Experimental data obtained in knockout mice have provided unequivocal evidence for a requirement of caveolins to generate morphologically detectable caveolae structures. However, expression of caveolins is not sufficient per seto assure the presence of these structures. With respect to other roles attributed to caveolins in the regulation of cellular function, insights are even less clear. Here we will consider, more specifically, the data concerning the ambiguous roles ascribed to caveolin‐1 in signal transduction and cancer. In particular, evidence indicating that caveolin‐1 function is cell context dependent will be discussed.