Cks1 Is Required for G1 Cyclin-Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Activity in Budding Yeast

p13suc1 (Cks) proteins have been implicated in the regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. However, the mechanism by which Cks influences the function of cyclin-CDK complexes has remained elusive. We show here that Cks1 is required for the protein kinase activity of budding yeast G1 cyclin-CDK complexes. Cln2 and Cdc28 subunits coexpressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells fail to exhibit protein kinase activity towards multiple substrates in the absence of Cks1. Cks1 can both stabilize Cln2-Cdc28 complexes and activate intact complexes in vitro, suggesting that it plays multiple roles in the biogenesis of active G1 cyclin-CDK complexes. In contrast, Cdc28 forms stable, active complexes with the B-type cyclins Clb4 and Clb5 regardless of whether Cks1 is present. The levels of Cln2-Cdc28 and Cln3-Cdc28 protein kinase activity are severely reduced in cks1-38 cell extracts. Moreover, phosphorylation of G1 cyclins, which depends on Cdc28 activity, is reduced in cks1-38 cells. The role of Cks1 in promoting G1 cyclin-CDK protein kinase activity both in vitro and in vivo provides a simple molecular rationale for the essential role of CKS1 in progression through G1 phase in budding yeast