The Plant Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) represents a large multisubunit E3-ubiquitin ligase complex that controls the unidirectional progression through the cell cycle by the ubiquitination of specific target proteins, marking them for proteasomal destruction. Although the APC/C's role is largely conserved among eukaryotes, its subunit composition and target spectrum appear to be species specific. In this review, we focus on the plant APC/C complex, whose activity correlates with different developmental processes, including polyploidization and gametogenesis. After an introduction into proteolytic control by ubiquitination, we discuss the composition of the plant APC/C and the essential nature of its core subunits for plant development. Subsequently, we describe the APC/C activator subunits and interactors, most being plant specific. Finally, we provide a comprehensive list of confirmed and suspected plant APC/C target proteins. Identification of growth-related targets might offer opportunities to increase crop yield and resilience of plants to climate change by manipulating APC/C activity.