The gastrointestinal (GI) tract displays multiple motor patterns that move nutrients and
wastes through the body. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) provide the forces necessary for GI …

In general, hippocampal neurons are capable of synthesizing sex steroids de novo from
cholesterol, since the brain is equipped with all the enzymes required for the synthesis of …

Cholesterol of glial origin promotes synaptogenesis (Mauch et al.,(2001) Science 294: 1354–
1357). Because in the hippocampus local estradiol synthesis is essential for …

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) is a peculiar cell network composed of cells having processes
described by the eminent Spanish neuroanatomist of the 19th century, S. Ramon y Cajal …

Changes in membrane cholesterol content have potent effects on cell signalling and
contractility in rat myometrium and other smooth muscles. We have previously shown that …

Estradiol plays essential roles in the modulation of synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection in
males as well as in females, as has been shown particularly in the hippocampus. Although it …

Cholesterol (CLR) is an essential component of eukaryotic plasma membranes. CLR
regulates the membrane physical state, microdomain formation and the activity of membrane …

Caveolae are associated with molecules crucial for calcium handling. This review considers
the roles of caveolae in calcium handling for smooth muscle and interstitial cells of Cajal …

The murine jejunum and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were examined to determine the
locations of various signaling molecules and their colocalization with caveolin-1 and one …

Abstract Matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) may play roles at intracellular and
extracellular sites of the heart in ischaemia/reperfusion injury. Caveolins (Cav‐1,‐2 and‐3) …