The Dsc complex and its role in Golgi quality control

Membrane proteins play crucial roles in cellular functions. However, processes such as the insertion of membrane proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), their folding into native structures, the assembly of multi-subunit membrane protein complexes, and their targeting from the ER to specific organelles are prone to errors and have a relatively high failure rate. To prevent the accumulation of defective or orphaned membrane proteins, quality control mechanisms assess folding, quantity, and localization of these proteins. This quality control is vital for preserving organelle integrity and maintaining cellular health. In this mini-review, we will focus on how selective membrane protein quality control at the Golgi apparatus, particularly through the defective for SREBP cleavage (Dsc) ubiquitin ligase complex, detects orphaned proteins and prevents their mis-localization to other organelles.