VIP21-Caveolin, a protein of the trans-Golgi network and caveolae

Abstract

VIP21-Caveolin is a component of the filamentous coat surrounding the invaginations of the plasma membrane called caveolae. Unlike the vesicular coat proteins identified so far, VIP21-Caveolin can be classified as an integral membrane protein. Furthermore, it is found in high molecular mass oligomers. Based on its localisation in specialised membrane subdomains, a role for VIP21-Caveolin in membrane protein sorting has been proposed.