Caveolins and cellular cholesterol balance

E Ikonen, RG Parton - Traffic, 2000 - Wiley Online Library
Traffic, 2000Wiley Online Library
Caveolins are major integral membrane components of caveolae. Over the last few years,
evidence has accumulated for a close link between caveolin, caveolae, and the regulation of
cellular cholesterol levels. However, the exact role of caveolin in this process, the
intracellular trafficking routes followed by caveolin/cholesterol complexes, and the
relationship of caveolin‐cholesterol to other caveolin‐mediated processes such as signal
transduction have remained unclear. Recent findings from a number of systems suggest that …
Caveolins are major integral membrane components of caveolae. Over the last few years, evidence has accumulated for a close link between caveolin, caveolae, and the regulation of cellular cholesterol levels. However, the exact role of caveolin in this process, the intracellular trafficking routes followed by caveolin/cholesterol complexes, and the relationship of caveolin‐cholesterol to other caveolin‐mediated processes such as signal transduction have remained unclear. Recent findings from a number of systems suggest that specific signaling pathways require precise regulation of cellular cholesterol. Here we review evidence for caveolin regulation of cholesterol transport and consider how this may relate to signal transduction.
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