The Golgi complex

Summary The ultrastructural arrangement of membranes of the Golgi complex has been characterized in Golgi fractions isolated from rat liver. Procedures for isolation of these fractions have been modified to provide a good yield of Golgi membranes (60 to 70%) with greater than 50-fold purification of sialyl transferase, an enzyme specific for the Golgi complex. The isolated membranes appear well preserved and both the dimensions and appearance of the Golgi complex observed by negative staining and in sections of the isolated membranes correlate well with that in liver sections.The Golgi complex consists of a series of platelike structures, each consisting of a central sac or cisterna from which a network of fine tubules arises. The tubules increase in diameter towards the periphery of the plate and are associated with the formation of vacuoles or secretory vesicles. The structure of the Golgi complex has been related to its role in glycoprotein biosynthesis.