From embryonic development to human diseases: The functional role of caveolae/caveolin

Abstract

Caveolae, an almost ubiquitous, structural component of the plasma membrane, play a critical role in many functions essential for proper cell function, including membrane trafficking, signal transduction, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tissue regeneration. Three main types of caveolin proteins have been identified from caveolae since the discovery of caveolin-1 in the early 1990s. All three (Cav-1, Cav-2, and Cav-3) play crucial roles in mammalian physiology, and can effect pathogenesis in a wide range of human diseases. While many biological activities of caveolins have been uncovered since its discovery, their role and regulation in embryonic develop remain largely poorly understood, although there is increasing evidence that caveolins may be linked to lung and brain birth defects. Further investigations are clearly needed to decipher how caveolae/caveolins mediate cellular functions and activities of normal embryogenesis and how their perturbations contribute to developmental disorders.

Uptake and transport of pullulan acetate nanoparticles in the BeWo b30 placental barrier cell model

“…Endocytosis of NPs by the placenta is important in that it can alter the transplacental passage of drugs. 3,4,25 The BeWo b30 cell line is considered an established model of the human placental barrier. These cells can form polarized monolayers useful for studying transplacental transport.…”

“…Caveolae have been implicated in numerous functions, including membrane trafficking via endocytosis and transcytosis. 25 Caveolin-1, a major protein of the caveolae family, was originally reported as "caveolin," the 22-kDa protein first discovered in the early 1990s. The caveolin-1 signaling pathway is known for its role in regulating cellular functions, including signal transduction and endocytosis.…”

Ascidian caveolin induces membrane curvature and protects tissue integrity and morphology during embryogenesis

“…12 Three paralogues of caveolins, caveolin1 (Cav1), caveolin2 (Cav2), and caveolin3 (Cav3), are present in the mammalian genome, with distinct expression patterns in various tissue types. 19 Surprisingly, caveolin-knockout mice are viable and fertile, showing that caveolins are not essential for survival. 14,15 Only Cav1 and Cav3 can drive caveola formation, [16][17][18] suggesting that Cav1 has a major function in nonmuscle cells.…”

“…Moreover, the caveolins are involved in several other cellular processes such as membrane trafficking via endocytosis and transcytosis, cell migration, extracellular matrix remodeling, tissue regeneration, lipid metabolism, and homeostasis. 19 Surprisingly, caveolin-knockout mice are viable and fertile, showing that caveolins are not essential for survival. 7 However, caveolin-KO mice show several pathological symptoms.…”

Altered expression and modulation of the two-pore-domain (K2P) mechanogated potassium channel TREK-1 in overactive human detrusor

“…Expression of TREK-1 could be also modulated by the expression of caveolins, integral membrane proteins required for the formation and maintenance of caveolae (29,51). These membrane invaginations are enriched with signaling molecules, ion channels, and regulatory proteins necessary for protein trafficking and signal transduction in different cell types (19,54).…”