Control of APC-Cdc20 by the tumor suppressor RASSF1A

Abstract

The tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A is frequently hypermethylated in various tumors. However, how RASSF1A functions in tumor suppression was unknown. Our study shows that RASSF1A regulates the stability of mitotic cyclins and the timing of mitotic progression by inhibiting APC-Cdc20. RASSF1A appears to work in early pro-metaphase, after Emi1 destruction and before activation of the Mad2-dependent spindle checkpoint. Loss of RASSF1A expression induces premature APC activation, thereby resulting in acceleration of mitotic cyclin degradation and mitotic progression as well as induction of mitotic abnormalities. Thus, RASSF1A plays a critical role in mitotic progression and tumor suppression by controlling APC-Cdc20 activity.