The role of caveolae and caveolin in vesicle-dependent and vesicle-independent trafficking

Caveolae can mediate endocytosis, transcytosis, and potocytosis. Our unders tanding of these processes as well as the elucidation of the molecular mach inery involved has greatly expanded. In addition, caveolin, a 22 kDa protei n often associated with caveolae, can promote the trafficking of sterol thr ough the cytoplasm independent of vesicles. Caveolin also influences the fo rmation, morphology, and function of caveolae. The ability of caveolae and caveolin to mediate macromolecular transport directly impacts a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.