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Caveolae as Potential Hijackable Gates in Cell Communication.

Maria Dudãu1,2, Elena Codrici1, Cristiana Tanase1,3

  • 1Biochemistry-Proteomics Laboratory, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, Bucharest, Romania.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|November 16, 2020
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Summary

Caveolae, cellular gatekeepers structured by caveolin and cavin proteins, are crucial for cell signaling and mechanotransduction. Understanding their role in disease and therapeutic potential is vital for clinical translation.

Keywords:
caveolaecaveolinscell communicationcell signalingclinical trialsgatekeeperhijackoncogenic signal

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Caveolae are essential membrane microdomains involved in diverse cellular processes including endocytosis, transcytosis, cell signaling, and mechanotransduction.
  • These structures are formed by caveolin and cavin proteins and are located at the cell's interface with its environment.
  • Caveolae and caveolins play a role in transmitting both chemical and mechanical signals, influencing cellular responses to stimuli like stretching and shear stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on caveolae and their role in cell signaling.
  • To explore the hypothesis that caveolae act as hijackable gateways in cellular communication.
  • To highlight the translational gap between basic research and clinical applications of caveolae, caveolins, and cavins.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on caveolae, caveolins, and cavins.
  • Analysis of the role of these proteins in cell signaling pathways and disease mechanisms.
  • Examination of the potential for therapeutic hijacking of caveolae and caveolins.

Main Results:

  • Caveolae are implicated in various diseases, including infectious and oncogenic conditions, and are known as caveolinopathies.
  • Caveolin-1 is the only scaffold protein currently considered in clinical trials as a potential disease biomarker.
  • Despite their known functions, preclinical and clinical research has not yet fully exploited caveolae and caveolins for therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

  • Caveolae function as critical signaling hubs and potential "gatekeepers" or "gateways" in cell communication.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate caveolae's involvement in human diseases.
  • Translating the understanding of caveolae, caveolin, and cavin research into clinical practice remains a significant challenge.