Caveolae (also known as plasmalemmal vesicles) are 50-100 nM flask-shaped membranes that represent a subcompartment of the plasma membrane. Three proteins, caveolin-1, caveolin-2 and caveolin-3, have been identified as principal components of caveolae. Caveolin 1 and caveolin 2 are located next to each other on chromosome 7 and express colocalizing proteins that form a stable hetero-oligomeric complex.Functionally, the three proteins differ in their interactions with heterotrimeric G protein isoforms. Caveolins interact with multiple signaling molecules such as Gα subunit, tyrosine kinase receptors, PKCs, Src family tyrosine kinases, and eNOS.
