Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of securin and mitotic cyclins is essential for exit from mitosis. The final step in ubiquitination of these and other proteins is catalysed by the anaphase-promoting complex (APC), a multi-subunit ubiquitin-protein ligase (E3). Little is known about the molecular reaction resulting in APC-dependent substrate ubiquitination or the role of individual APC subunits in the reaction. Using a well-defined in vitro system, we show that highly purified APC from Saccharomyces cerevisiae ubiquitinates a model cyclin substrate in a processive manner. Analysis of mutant APC lacking the Doc1/Apc10 subunit (APC(doc1 Delta)) indicates that Doc1 is required for processivity. The specific molecular defect in APC(doc1 Delta) is identified by a large increase in apparent K(M) for the cyclin substrate relative to the wild-type enzyme. This suggests that Doc1 stimulates processivity by limiting substrate dissociation. Addition of recombinant Doc1 to APC(doc1 Delta) fully restores enzyme function. Doc1-related domains are found in mechanistically distinct ubiquitin-ligase enzymes and may generally stimulate ubiquitination by contributing to substrate-enzyme affinity.