Caveolae Marker related Antibody Products

Caveolae are specialized regions of the plasma membrane, predominantly constituted by three integral membrane proteins called caveolins, which facilitate the sequestration of lipid and protein substrates underlying processes such as vesicular trafficking, signal transduction, cell adhesion, and apoptosis. Amerigo Scientific provides antibodies targeting the caveolae marker, which are essential tools for advancing neuroscience research. These antibodies aid our valued researchers in examining proteins linked to the caveolae.

Overview of Caveolae

Caveolae are specialized lipid rafts forming small (50-100 nanometer) invaginations in the plasma membrane of many vertebrate cells. They are especially prevalent in embryonic notochord cells, adipocytes, and endothelial cells. Rich in proteins and lipids, including cholesterol and sphingolipids, these structures play diverse roles in signal transduction. Key to understanding caveolae is the identification of caveolins, a family of proteins essential for caveolar function. Caveolae and their caveolin marker proteins are implicated in various cellular processes, including mechanosensation, oncogenesis, and the uptake of pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

Fig.1 Schematic illustration of caveolae and caveolae proteins.^{1, 3}

Caveolae marker antibodies are invaluable tools for investigating the structure and function of caveolae. These antibodies can also shed light on the roles that proteins may play in processes centered around or influenced by caveolae. At Amerigo Scientific, our caveolae marker antibodies are meticulously designed to reliably detect key caveolae targets, with each antibody validated for use in diverse applications.

Major Plasma Membrane Markers

Fig.2 Structure of caveolins and caveolae.^{2, 3}

Caveolins, a group of proteins exclusive to caveolae and not present in other lipid rafts, consist of three distinct proteins: caveolin-1, caveolin-2, and caveolin-3. They are the most specific markers of caveolae. In smooth muscle cells, all three proteins are expressed. Caveolae, along with caveolins, play critical roles in endocytic processes. Observations that caveolae can exist as plasma membrane invaginations, fully enclosed vesicles, or aggregates of vesicles suggest their involvement in macromolecule endocytosis.

• Caveolin-1 is coexpressed across various cell types, exhibiting notably high expression levels in endothelial cells, adipocytes, and type I pneumocytes. It demonstrates a strong binding affinity for cholesterol and sphingolipids, stabilizing and targeting itself to caveolae.
• Caveolin-2 is likewise coexpressed in a range of cell types, with notable expression in endothelial cells, adipocytes, and type I pneumocytes.
• Caveolin-3 is uniquely expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells.

The Applications of Caveolae Markers

• In viral infection: Caveolae and caveolin-1 play critical roles in various stages of viral infection, primarily facilitating virus internalization via caveolae-mediated endocytosis, participating in post-endocytic trafficking, and functioning in multiple signaling pathways relevant to viral pathogenesis.
• In hypertrophic scarring: Reduced expression of caveolin-1 is a key pathogenic factor in hypertrophic scarring (HTS), and the extent of caveolin-1 overexpression with various therapies correlates with clinical improvements, making caveolin-1 induction a crucial therapeutic and preventive target for HTS.
• In neuronal maturation: Caveolin-1 exhibits predominant expression in immature cortical neurons and governs clathrin-independent endocytosis, with in vivo suppression disrupting immature neurite pruning, resulting in prolonged process elongation and altered neuronal migration.

Amerigo Scientific provides an extensive range of recombinant antibodies, encompassing different species, isotypes, and configurations. Should the specific antibody you need not be found, our custom antibody engineering services are prepared to accommodate your needs. Explore our catalog featuring antibodies against caveolae markers, or reach out to us for inquiries or quotations. We are enthusiastic to support you.