What is the Difference Between Cis and Trans Face of Golgi Apparatus?

The Golgi apparatus, also known as the Golgi complex, is a cell organelle responsible for sorting and packaging substances, such as proteins and lipids, before they are delivered to their destination within the cell. The Golgi apparatus has two faces: the cis face and the trans face.

• Cis face: This is the receiving face of the Golgi apparatus, where endoplasmic reticulum (ER) vesicles empty their contents. The cis face is also referred to as the "forming face".
• Trans face: This is the exiting face of the Golgi apparatus, from which vesicles filled with processed lipids and proteins bud off. The trans face is also known as the "shipping side" or "maturing face". Matured cisternae are situated at the trans face.

The cis and trans faces of the Golgi apparatus are structurally polarized, with three primary compartments lying between them. The cisternae form and mature in the direction of cis to trans. The cis Golgi network and the trans Golgi network are responsible for sorting proteins and lipids at the cis and trans faces, respectively.

Comparative Table: Cis vs Trans Face of Golgi Apparatus

The Golgi apparatus is a cell organelle responsible for sorting and packaging proteins and lipids before transporting them to their final destinations. It consists of vesicles and cisternae, with two main functional phases: the cis phase and the trans phase. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the cis and trans faces of the Golgi apparatus:

The cis face of the Golgi apparatus is the entry point, where vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum fuse with the Golgi apparatus. As cisternae mature, they move towards the trans face, which is the exit point of the Golgi apparatus. The trans face releases vesicles carrying specific proteins to other places in the cell.