De novo formation of caveolae in lymphocytes by expression of VIP21-caveolin.

AM Fra, E Williamson, K Simons… - Proceedings of the …, 1995 - National Acad Sciences
AM Fra, E Williamson, K Simons, RG Parton
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1995National Acad Sciences
Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations, which have been implicated in endothelial
transcytosis, endocytosis, potocytosis, and signal transduction. In addition to their well-
defined morphology, caveolae are characterized by the presence of an integral membrane
protein termed VIP21-caveolin. We have recently observed that lymphocytes have no
detectable VIP21-caveolin and lack plasma membrane invaginations resembling caveolae.
Here we transiently express VIP21-caveolin in a lymphocyte cell line using the Semliki …
Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations, which have been implicated in endothelial transcytosis, endocytosis, potocytosis, and signal transduction. In addition to their well-defined morphology, caveolae are characterized by the presence of an integral membrane protein termed VIP21-caveolin. We have recently observed that lymphocytes have no detectable VIP21-caveolin and lack plasma membrane invaginations resembling caveolae. Here we transiently express VIP21-caveolin in a lymphocyte cell line using the Semliki Forest virus expression system and show de novo formation of plasma membrane invaginations containing VIP21-caveolin. These invaginations appear homogeneous in size and morphologically indistinguishable from caveolae of nonlymphoid cells. Moreover, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein. Thy1, patched by antibodies, redistributes to the newly formed caveolae. Our results show that VIP21-caveolin is a key structural component required for caveolar biogenesis.
National Acad Sciences