Caveolins in vascular smooth muscle: Form organizing function

Caveolae are becoming increasingly recognized as an important organizational structure for a variety of signal and energy-transducing systems in vascular smooth muscle (VSM). In this review, we discuss the emerging role of the caveolins in organizing and modulating the basic functions of smooth muscle: contraction, growth/proliferation, and the energetic support systems that support these functions. With clear alterations in cell metabolism and function in VSM with altered caveolin-1 (Cav-1) protein expression and with cardiovascular abnormalities associated with Cav-1 null mice, the caveolin family of proteins may play an important role in the function and dysfunction of VSM. (c) 2005 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.