Description | Viral protein involved in virus internalization by the host cell via caveolae, which are specialized lipid rafts that form 50-70 nm flask- shaped invaginations of the cell membrane. Caveolins form the structural backbone of caveolae. Internalization via caveolae is not a constitutive process but only occurs upon cell stimulation.Endocytic caveolae deliver their viral content to early endosomes. Caveolae represent a low capacity but highly regulated pathway. This pathway is used by viruses including HPV-31, BK virus, NDV, RSV, Coxsackie B virus, SV40, murine polyomavirus, and Echovirus 1 |