The organelle responsible for transporting proteins that the cell makes, processing them, and shipping them out is the Golgi apparatus. Proteins synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are packaged into transport vesicles, which then fuse with the Golgi apparatus. Within the Golgi, proteins undergo further modifications, are sorted, and packaged into new vesicles that transport them to their various destinations either inside or outside the cell. The Golgi apparatus acts as a major processing, sorting, and dispatch center for proteins in the cell.
Role of the Golgi Apparatus in Protein Transport
- Proteins are made in the rough ER and packed into vesicles.
- These vesicles fuse with the cis face of the Golgi apparatus.
- Inside the Golgi, proteins are modified (e.g., glycosylation, phosphorylation).
- Proteins move through Golgi cisternae to the trans face.
- At the trans Golgi network, proteins are sorted and packaged into vesicles.
- Vesicles transport proteins to their final destinations, such as the plasma membrane, lysosomes, or secretion outside the cell.
In summary, the Golgi apparatus is the key organelle for processing, modifying, and transporting proteins to be secreted, embedded in membranes, or sent to other intracellular locations.
