The molecular organization of flat and curved caveolae indicates bendable structural units at the plasma membrane

Caveolae are small coated inner plasma membrane invaginations found in many cell types. Their diverse functions span from endocytosis to signaling, regulating key cellular processes including lipid uptake, pathogen entry, and membrane tension. Caveolae undergo shape changes from flat to curved. It is unclear which proteins regulate this process. To address this gap, we studied the shapes of caveolae with platinum replica electron microscopy in six common cell types. Next, we developed a correlative multi-color stimulated emission depletion (STED) fluorescence and platinum replica EM imaging (CLEM) method to image caveolae-associated proteins at caveolae of different shapes at the nanoscale. Caveolins and cavins were found at all caveolae, independent of their curvature. EHD2, a classic caveolar neck protein, was strongly detected at both curved and flat caveolae. Both pacsin2 and the regulator EHBP1 were found only at a subset of caveolae. Pacsin2 was localized primarily to areas surrounding flat caveolae, whereas EHBP1 was mostly detected at spheres. Contrary to classic models, dynamin was absent from caveolae and localized only to clathrin-coated structures. Cells lacking dynamin showed no substantial changes to caveolae, suggesting that dynamin is not directly involved in caveolae curvature. Together, we provide a mechanistic map for the molecular control of caveolae shape by eight of the major caveolae-associated coat and regulatory proteins. We propose a model where caveolins, cavins, and EHD2 assemble as a cohesive structural unit regulated by more intermittent associations with pacsin2 and EHBP1. These complexes can flatten and curve, capturing membrane to enable lipid traffic and changes to the surface area of the cell.