胞膜窖(caveolae)是存在于多种细胞表面的小凹结构,其标志蛋白小凹蛋白(caveolin)在信号转导中起着中心调控作用。Caveolin可与多种蛋白结合,它与离子通道蛋白结合可调节离子通道的活性,维持机体多种生理活动的平衡。Caveolae可调节钾离子通道的活性,与钠离子通道结合可以调节心肌动作电位的产生,caveolin-1对容积调控氯通道(volume-regulated anion channels,VRAC)也是一个必要条件,caveolin-1和caveolin-3还对动脉平滑肌细胞中的钙离子起平衡调控作用。研究caveolin对离子通道活动的影响对于探索一些生命现象的基本机制将有重要意义。
Caveolae is a structure of foveola exists in surface of various cells.As a marker protein of caveolae,caveolin plays a central role in signal transduction.Caveolin can combine with multiple proteins and regulates the activation of ion channels and maintains internal balance of several physiological functions.Caveolar plays an important role in the regulation of activity of K+ channel function.Through binding with Na+ channel,caveolae is able to modulate the generation of myocardial action potential.Caveolin-1 is an essential condition for regulation of volume-regulated anion channels.Caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 also play a key role in modulation of the Ca2+ balance in arterial smooth muscle cell.Further study on the effect of caveolin on ion channel will help to elucidate the basic mechanisms of the biological phenomenon.