caveolaarins

Caveolaarins are a family of integral membrane proteins that are a major structural component of caveolae. Caveolae are small, flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane found in many cell types, particularly endothelial cells and adipocytes. These specialized structures are involved in a variety of cellular processes, including endocytosis, transcytosis, signal transduction, and lipid homeostasis.

The caveolaarin family consists of three members: caveolaarin-1, caveolaarin-2, and caveolaarin-3. These proteins are characterized by their unique structure, featuring a hairpin-like transmembrane domain and an N-terminal oligomerization domain. Caveolaarin-1 is the most abundant and is essential for the formation of caveolae. Caveolaarin-2 and caveolaarin-3 are generally co-expressed with caveolaarin-1 and are thought to play a role in stabilizing caveolar structure and regulating their function.

The formation of caveolae is a dynamic process that involves the self-assembly of caveolaarin proteins into oligomers, which then bud inward from the plasma membrane. This process is influenced by various factors, including cholesterol and sphingolipids, which are enriched in caveolar membranes.

Dysregulation of caveolaarins and caveolae has been implicated in a number of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Research into the precise roles of caveolaarins and caveolae in these pathologies is ongoing, with the potential for therapeutic interventions targeting these structures.