{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CAV1 gene. CAV1 and CAV2 are located next to each other on chromosome 7 and express co-localizing proteins that form a stable hetero-oligomeric complex. By using alternative initiation codons in the same reading frame, two isoforms (alpha and beta) are encoded by a single transcript from this gene. The scaffolding protein encoded by this gene is the main component of the caveolae plasma membranes found in most cell types. CAV1 is a tumor suppressor gene candidate and a negative regulator of the Ras-p42/44 MAP kinase cascade. CAV-1 is expressed at different levels in different tissues, with the highest in adipocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and mesothelial cells. CAV-1 is also expressed in epithelioid mesotheliomas and Ewing sarcoma/PNET."}]}]}