The plasma membrane of mammalian cells consists of microdomains differing in lipid and protein composition. Two distinct classes of cholesterol/sphingolipid microdomain (caveolae and lipid rafts) are assembly points for transmembrane signalling complexes. Recent evidence suggests that transient changes in cholesterol content may be important in regulating signal transduction.

Keywords:
caveola, cholesterol, lipid raft, membrane, signal transduction, sphingolipid
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© 2004 Biochemical Society
2004
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