Caves and labyrinths: caveolae and transverse tubules in skeletal muscle

Caveolins are small integral membrane proteins with a vital role in the formation and function of caveolae. In this review, the role of caveolin-3, a predominantly muscle-specific member of the caveolin family, will be examined. We speculate that insights into the mechanism of caveolae formation may give clues into the formation of another plasma membrane domain, the transverse-tubule system of muscle cells and propose a role for cholesterol-enriched lipid "rafts" in this process. In addition, we review recent findings regarding caveolin-3 in differentiated muscle cells and, particularly, in dystrophic muscle