Figure 1.
The diagram shows a cell spreading on a substrate, generating force. This force drives the export machinery, leading to the biogenesis of carriers for trafficking from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the plasma membrane. The process involves tubulin acetylation, Golgi DAG production, and PKD activation at the TGN. PKD activity increases Golgi membrane tension, which in turn promotes carrier production. The diagram also indicates that carrier output is necessary to sustain cell spreading, establishing a reciprocal loop between adhesion and Golgi export.
Mechanical control of Golgi secretory output. Cell spreading on the extracellular matrix generates force that is relayed to the Golgi and increases the biogenesis of post-Golgi transport carriers. These mechanical cues drive tubulin acetylation and Golgi DAG production, which activate PKD at the TGN to promote carrier biogenesis. PKD activity also increases Golgi membrane tension, which in turn feeds forward into carrier production. Tubulin acetylation may additionally promote Golgi DAG production (dashed arrow). Carrier output is itself required to sustain cell spreading, establishing a reciprocal loop between adhesion and Golgi export. Created in BioRender. Hausser, A. (2026) https://BioRender.com/5a1jf7z.