Abstract
Caveolae have been linked to a number of biological functions but their precise roles are as yet unclear. Here we have undertaken an unbiased approach to characterize the cellular proteome regulated by the caveolar structural protein, CAVIN1, by utilizing genome-edited cells together with whole cell quantitative proteomics. Pathway analysis identified the cellular response to oxidative stress as the most significant effect of CAVIN1 loss. Functional experiments showed that sensitivity to oxidative stress was compromised in CAVIN1-null cells and zebrafish knockout lines. Mechanistic studies identified oxidative stress-triggered lipid peroxidation as the novel upstream mechanism for caveolar disassembly and release of CAVIN1. Disassembly of caveolae allows direct interaction of CAVIN1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a key antioxidant activator. This causes NRF2 sequestration and degradation in the cytosol, inhibiting its transcriptional function in the nucleus. Thus caveolae, via lipid peroxidation and CAVIN1 release, regulate cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis.