Golgi Membrane-Associated Degradation (GOMED), a New Intracellular Proteolysis Mechanism.

The Golgi apparatus is a crucial organelle that is involved in various cellular processes, including cellular secretion, and is primarily responsible for the modification, sorting, and transport of proteins and lipids. However, recently, we discovered a novel Golgi function, namely, Golgi membrane-associated degradation (GOMED). GOMED is a cellular function in which the trans-Golgi membrane undergoes deformation and becomes spherical, breaking down proteins and lipids that have been internalized. This process is conserved from yeast to mammalian cells. GOMED primarily plays a role in the quality control of hormones, cytokines, and cell membrane receptors that pass through the Golgi apparatus, and is crucial for maintaining the normal function of pancreatic β cell, neurons, and intestinal epithelial cells. Therefore, abnormalities in GOMED can lead to neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases.