caveola

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caveola (pl. caveolae)A small static flask-shaped depression in the plasma membrane of a cell that is lined by transmembrane proteins called caveolins and contains receptors for various extracellular signalling molecules. There is a two-way traffic in and out of the cell via caveolae, and caveolin-containing vesicles are transported from within the cell to the caveolar membrane along microtubules. Contrary to earlier reports, caveolae are now thought not to be involved in endocytosis.

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