Anderson R G
Annu Rev Biochem. 1998;67:199-225. doi: 10.1146/annurev.biochem.67.1.199.
The cell biology of caveolae is a rapidly growing area of biomedical research. Caveolae are known primarily for their ability to transport molecules across endothelial cells, but modern cellular techniques have dramatically extended our view of caveolae. They form a unique endocytic and exocytic compartment at the surface of most cells and are capable of importing molecules and delivering them to specific locations within the cell, exporting molecules to extracellular space, and compartmentalizing a variety of signaling activities. They are not simply an endocytic device with a peculiar membrane shape but constitute an entire membrane system with multiple functions essential for the cell. Specific diseases attack this system: Pathogens have been identified that use it as a means of gaining entrance to the cell. Trying to understand the full range of functions of caveolae challenges our basic instincts about the cell.
小窝的细胞生物学是生物医学研究中一个快速发展的领域。小窝主要因其能够跨内皮细胞转运分子而闻名，但现代细胞技术极大地扩展了我们对小窝的认识。它们在大多数细胞表面形成一个独特的内吞和外排区室，能够摄取分子并将其递送至细胞内的特定位置，将分子输出到细胞外空间，以及分隔多种信号活动。它们并非仅仅是一个具有特殊膜形状的内吞装置，而是构成了一个对细胞至关重要的具有多种功能的完整膜系统。特定疾病会侵袭这个系统：已鉴定出一些病原体将其用作进入细胞的途径。试图理解小窝的全部功能挑战着我们对细胞的基本认知。
