The emerging role of APC/CCdh1 in development

The function of APC/C (anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome) was initially implicated with the onset of anaphase during mitosis, where its association with Cdc20 targets securin for destruction, thereby allowing the separation of two duplicated daughter genomes. When combined with Cdh1, APC regulates G1/S transition and DNA replication during cell cycle. Beyond cell cycle control, results from recent biochemical and mouse genetic studies have attracted our attention to the unexpected impact of APC/C-Cdh1 in cellular differentiation, genomic integrity and pathogenesis of various diseases. This review will aim to summarize current understanding of APC/C-Cdh1 in regulating crucial events during development. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.