Brief Summary
The Golgi apparatus is a crucial eukaryotic organelle responsible for processing and packaging proteins received from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It modifies proteins through glycosylation and phosphorylation, sorts them based on molecular tags, and dispatches them to their final destinations within the cell. The Golgi's structure, with its cis and trans faces and enzyme-rich cisternae, facilitates this complex process of protein modification and trafficking.
- Proteins from the ER are transported to the Golgi apparatus for further modification.
- The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for delivery to specific cellular locations.
- Molecular tags added in the Golgi determine the final destination of proteins.
Golgi Apparatus: Protein Modification and Sorting
The Golgi apparatus receives properly folded and assembled proteins from the ER via transport vesicles. These vesicles enter the cis face of the Golgi, which is closest to the ER, and then move through a stack of membrane-enclosed cisternae. Each cisterna contains a unique set of enzymes that perform specific protein modifications, including phosphorylation and glycosylation. As proteins move through the Golgi, they are modified and tagged, with these tags determining their final cellular destination. After modifications in the trans cisterna, proteins are packaged into vesicles and directed to locations such as the plasma membrane, with specific markers on the vesicle membranes ensuring they dock at the correct cellular location.
