Anne K. Kenworthy1,2, Bing Han1,2, Nicholas Ariotti3 and Robert G. Parton3,4 1Center for Membrane and Cell Physiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA 2Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA 3Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia 4Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, 4072 Brisbane, Australia Correspondence: akk7hpvirginia.edu; R.Partonimb.uq.edu.au

Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations with a distinct lipid composition. Membrane lipids cooperate with the structural components of caveolae to generate a metastable surface domain. Recent studies have provided insights into the structure of essential caveolar components and how lipids are crucial for the formation, dynamics, and disassembly of caveolae. They also suggest new models for how caveolins, major structural components of caveolae, insert into membranes and interact with lipids.