Phosphorylation of Sic1p by G sub(1) Cdk required for its degradation and entry into S phase

G sub(1) cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)-triggered degradation of the S-phase Cdk inhibitor Sic1p has been implicated in the transition from G sub(1) to S phase in the cell cycle of budding yeast. A multidimensional electrospray mass spectrometry technique was used to map G sub(1) Cdk phosphorylation sites in Sic1p both in vitro and in vivo. A Sic1p mutant lacking three Cdk phosphorylation sites did not serve as a substrate for Cdc34p-dependent ubiquitination in vitro, was stable in vivo, and blocked DNA replication. Moreover, purified phosphoSic1p was ubiquitinated in cyclin-depleted G sub(1) extract, indicating that a primary function of G sub(1) cyclins is to tag Sic1p for destruction. These data suggest a molecular model of how phosphorylation and proteolysis cooperate to bring about the G sub(1)/S transition in budding yeast.