InterPro domain: IPR033010

The anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a multisubunit ubiquitin ligase that targets mitotic regulators for degradation in exit from mitosis. At the end of mitosis, APC/C is activated by phosphorylation and association with the WD-40 protein Cdc20/Fizzy [ 1 ]. The inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdc20/Fizzy may have a role as a safeguard to keep the cyclosome inactive in early mitosis and under conditions of mitotic checkpoint arrest [ 2 ]. This entry includes Cdc20/Fizzy homologues from fungi, plants and animals.

Three characterised budding yeasts homologues are included in this entry: Cdc20, Cdh1 and Ama1. Cdc20 and Cdh1 have been shown to activate APC/C during mitosis, while Ama1 is a meiosis-specific activator of the APC/C [ 2 ]. The APC/C-Cdh1 is also found involved in the cellular response to DNA damage [ 3 ].

Protein cortex from Drosophila melanogaster which is a female meiosis-specific activator of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) required for the completion of meiosis in oocytes, is also included in this entry. Cortex activates the ubiquitin ligase activity and substrate specificity of APC/C and triggers the sequential degradation of mitotic cyclins in meiosis [ 4 , 5 ].

1. Phosphorylation of Cdc20/fizzy negatively regulates the mammalian cyclosome/APC in the mitotic checkpoint. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 271, 299-304
2. Meiotic prophase requires proteolysis of M phase regulators mediated by the meiosis-specific APC/CAma1. Cell 151, 603-18
3. Controlling the response to DNA damage by the APC/C-Cdh1. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 134, 891-9
4. The Cdc20 (Fzy)/Cdh1-related protein, Cort, cooperates with Fzy in cyclin destruction and anaphase progression in meiosis I and II in Drosophila. Development 3, e202
5. Developmental role and regulation of cortex, a meiosis-specific anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome activator. PLoS Genet.