Caveolin-1 interacts with alpha-synuclein and mediates toxic actions of cellular alpha-synuclein overexpression

► SPR coupled to MS showed a putative interaction between Cav-1 and alpha-synclein. ► This interaction was confirmed in reciprocal magnetic pulldown experiments. ► Upregulation of alpha-synclein in N2A cells significantly increased levels of Cav-1. ► Downregulation of Cav-1 inhibited alpha-synuclein toxicity but not MG132 toxicity. ► Mevastatin treatment inhibited MG132 toxicity, but not alpha synuclein toxicity.