The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is an evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin ligase that controls cell cycle progression through spatiotemporally regulated proteolysis. Although recent studies revealed its postmitotic function, our knowledge of the role of APC/C beyond cell cycle regulation in the biology of multicellular organisms is far from complete. Here, I review recent advances in the function of APC/C in animal development, specifically focusing on its emerging role in regulating cell differentiation. I describe how APC/C regulates distinct processes during the course of differentiation by deploying diverse molecular machineries in a variety of developmental contexts. Also, I discuss the significance and clinical relevance of the unique capacity of APC/C and other cell cycle regulators to couple distinct cellular processes with cell proliferation control.
Keywords: APC/C; G1/G0; cell cycle; development; differentiation; ubiquitination.
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