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Dispatch R431

Protein destruction: Adapting roles for Cks J. Wade Harper

Cks1, a subunit of cyclin-dependent , has now mutants in yeast and from biochemical experiments in been identified as an essential cofactor in the Xenopus extracts. Cks proteins, when associated with Cdks, ubiquitination of the Cdk inhibitor p27 by the SCFSkp2 do not act as inhibitors or activators in the classic sense, ligase. This activity, which can be independent but seem to modulate substrate choice or the extent of of Cdk binding, links Cks to positive growth control phosphorylation. Certain Cks1 mutations lead to cell-cycle pathways regulating the G1/S transition and to cancer. arrest in G1, and this appears to reflect defects in G1 cyclin–Cdk1 activity towards important substrates, such as Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. the Cdk inhibitors Sic1 and Far1 [9,10]. E-mail: [email protected] Removal of Cks function, either in yeast or Xenopus Current Biology 2001, 11:R431–R435 extracts, can also lead to defects in the entry into, passage 0960-9822/01/$ – see front matter through and exit from mitosis [9,11]. In general, this © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. seems to reflect the fact that Cks1 enhances phosphory- lation of various mitotic Cdk1 substrates, including Cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) regulate the cell divi- Cdc25, Wee1 and components of the anaphase-promot- sion cycle. These kinases are composed of a catalytic Cdk ing complex. Precisely how Cks1 facilitates phosphoryla- subunit and a regulatory cyclin subunit; certain Cdks, tion of Cdk targets is not known, but it is conceivable including Cdk1 (Cdc2) and Cdk2, also form tight com- that certain phosphorylated proteins can interact with a plexes with a small (9–18 kDa) known generically putative phosphate-binding surface on Cks1 [8], and in as the Cdc subunit (Cks). While it has been clear this context, such target proteins are phosphorylated for more than a decade that Cks proteins are essential for more efficiently by the associated Cdk. Finally, inactivation Cdk function and cell division in yeast, their precise of mitosis-promoting factor (MPF) via destruction of functions have remained poorly understood (reviewed in cyclin B is rate limiting for exit from mitosis. Here, Cks1 [1]). Now, new experiments published in Molecular Cell [2] also plays a role by helping target ubiquitinated cyclin B and Nature Cell Biology [3] have uncovered a role for one of to the proteasome for degradation, as demonstrated the two mammalian Cks proteins, p9Cks1, in facilitating in budding yeast [12]. Consistent with this, recent work the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of the Cdk inhibitor in Caenorhabditis elegans [13] indicates that one of the two p27 via interaction with the SCFSkp2 . Cks proteins in this organism, Cks1, is also required Unex-pectedly, this activity appears to be independent of for mitotic exit, as well as for completion of maternal Cks1’s interaction with Cdk2. This work also reveals a meiotic divisions. specific role for Cks1 in controlling the G0–G1 transition, and suggests that Cks1 might be a regulatory target for Now, just when we thought we were beginning to under- controlling cell division during both development and stand how Cks1 functions in mitosis, new data have transformation. emerged that link Cks1 to the destruction of the Cdk inhibitor p27 by the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase. p27 acts as a Cks proteins were originally identified as suppressors of negative regulator of the G1–S transition by binding to mutations in the fission and budding yeast Cdk1 cyclin E–Cdk2 and to –Cdk2. These kinases control [4,5]. Biochemical experiments revealed that this suppres- the S-phase program, and cyclin E–Cdk2 also controls cen- sion reflects the physical association of the budding yeast trosome duplication, although the molecular details of these Cks1 and fission yeast p13suc1+ proteins with Cdk1 and activities are sketchy. Two mechanisms combine to elimi- with active cyclin–Cdk1 complexes [5,6]. Subsequent nate p27 activity during G1 (reviewed in [14]; Figure 1). isolation of human Cks1 and Cks2 [7] revealed that Cks First, the assembly of cyclin D–Cdk4 in response to mito- proteins are structurally and functionally conserved gens requires p27 or its relatives, and p57. Accumula- throughout eukaryotes, and that they associate specifically tion of cyclin D–Cdk4–p27 occurs at the expense of a with Cdk1, Cdk2 and Cdk3. We now know through a portion of the cyclin E–Cdk2–p27 complexes present in series of structural studies that Cks and cyclin proteins G1. Thus, partial activation of Cdk2 is achieved by seques- interact simultaneously and independently with Cdks [8] tration of p27 by cyclin D–Cdk4. Partial Cdk2 activation (reviewed in [1]). then facilitates phosphorylation of p27 on threonine residue T187 [14]. This event targets p27 for ubiquitin-mediated How do Cks proteins control Cdk function? Much of our proteolysis [15] through the SCFSkp2 ubiquitin ligase understanding of Cks function has come from analysis of [16–18], thereby eliminating Cdk2-associated p27. R432 Current Biology Vol 11 No 11

Figure 1

Integration of Skp2 and Cks1 into the G1 Growth promoting Growth inhibitory regulatory pathway. Cells respond to mitogens signals Signals (TGFβ) by inducing the expression of D-type cyclins, which assemble with Cdk4 via sequestration of p27. These cyclin D–Cdk4 complexes participate in the inactivation of Rb and the Mitogens Skp2 Cks1 activation of E2F, which promotes . p27 sequestration results in partial activation of cyclin E–Cdk2, which in turn CyE CyE p27 phosphorylates p27 contained in existing p27 Cdk2 Cdk2 cyclin E–Cdk2 complexes. This phosphorylation event targets p27 for Skp2 CyD destruction via the SCF ubiquitin ligase in P SCFSkp2/Cks1 a process that requires Cks1. Although not CyE shown, cyclin A–Cdk2–p27 complexes are CyD likely to be produced under the same control Cdk2 pathways. Skp2 and Cks1 are both expressed p27 Cdk4 (active) in a cell-cycle-regulated manner and are therefore downstream of growth promoting signals. Cks1 expression is regulated by p27 ubiquitination growth inhibitory pathways mediated by (active) and degradation TGF-β. Cyclin D and Skp2 levels are frequently induced in cancer while p27 levels are frequently reduced. Induction of Cks1 may also be a frequent event during transformation. Rb E2F S phase Current Biology

SCF complexes are composed of Skp1, Cul1, Rbx1, and a yeast cousin SCFCdc4, which is responsible for ubiquitina- member of the F-box family of proteins [18–21]. These tion of the Sic1 Cdk inhibitor [19,20]. Moreover, although complexes act as E3 ubiquitin ligases in conjunction with T187-phosphorylated p27 can interact with Skp2 in crude E2 ubiquitin conjugating and an E1 ubiquitin extracts, it cannot do so with purified Skp2, indicating the activating . F-box proteins are modular substrate existence of another factor or modification important for specific receptors of ubiquitination targets. They interact p27 ubiquitination. To solve this problem, Hershko, Pagano with the core ubiquitin ligase through the F-box motif and and co-workers [3] searched for proteins in crude cell with substrates via carboxy-terminal protein–protein inter- extracts that activate p27 ubiquitination by recombinant action domains, including a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) SCFSkp2, and found none other than Cks1. An independent domain in the case of Skp2 (Figure 2a). SCF substrates solution to this puzzle came from the work of Reed and co- typically interact with their specific F-box proteins in a workers [2], who found that deletion of Cks1 in the mouse phosphorylation dependent manner. Several lines of evi- leads to viable animals that are smaller than heterozygous dence indicate a role for SCFSkp2 in p27 destruction. First, littermates, a phenotype reminiscent of mice lacking Skp2 cell extracts lacking Skp2 — either derived from G1 cells [22]. Analysis of Cks1–/– cells revealed dramatic accumula- or generated by Skp2 immunodepletion — are deficient in tion of T187-phosphorylated p27. This suggested that p27 p27 ubiquitination activity, but addition of recombinant ubiquitination was being blocked at a step after its phos- Skp2 reconstitutes phosphorylation-dependent ubiquiti- phorylation. Consistent with this, Cks1–/– extracts were nation [16,18]. Second, Skp2 interacts specifically with the defective in p27 ubiquitination, but the reaction could be T187 phosphorylated form of p27 in crude cell or reticulo- reconstituted by addition of recombinant Cks1. cyte extracts. Third, cells from Skp2–/– mice accumulate p27 in the T187 phosphorylated form, and this is reversed Previous work had demonstrated that ubiquitination of by expression of Skp2 [22]. Fourth, Skp2 immune com- p27 by SCFSkp2 requires that it be assembled with either plexes supplemented with E1 and E2 activity catalyze p27 cyclin E–Cdk2 or cyclin A–Cdk2 [23,24]. As Cdk2 inter- ubiquitination [16]. acts with Cks1, one could imagine a scenario in which association of Cks1 with Cdk2 is required to assemble the Although these data support a role for Skp2 in p27 p27–cyclin E–Cdk2 complex onto SCFSkp2. To examine turnover, several questions have remained unanswered. this question, Spruck et al. [2] employed a mutant Cks1 Most notable was the fact that insect-cell-derived SCFSkp2 protein that does not bind Cdk2, Cks1(E63Q). Surpris- is inefficient at catalyzing p27 ubiquitination, unlike its ingly, this mutant protein supported p27 ubiquitination to Dispatch R433

Figure 2 (a) Ub S-Ub Ub (a) Models depicting possible roles for Cks1 in p27 destruction. Skp2 Ub E2 Rbx1 CyE is synthesized during late G1 and S-phase and assembles into an SCF p27 S-Ub complex containing Skp1, Rbx1 and Cul1, which is covalently modified Skp1 Nedd8 Cdk2 E2 Rbx1 by a single Nedd8 protein. This complex is competent to engage an E2 Cul1 A Cks1 Skp1 Nedd8 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, such as Cdc34. Based on the crystal Skp2 P structure of the Skp1–Skp2 complex [25], the carboxyl terminus of Cul1 Skp2 Skp2 covers the concave face of the leucine rich repeat (LRR) motif, B likely blocking access of substrates to their interaction surface. Binding C Ub of phosphorylated p27 requires Cks1, which can interact with both Ub Ub Skp2, p27 and Cdk2. Three models are depicted. In model A, Cks1 CyE Ub p27 S-Ub binds Skp2 independent of its interaction with Cdk2, and this induces Ub Cdk2 Ub E2 Rbx1 a conformational change that reveals the LRR surface, allowing p27 to CyE bind to Skp2 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. In model B, S-Ub Cks1 Skp1 Nedd8 Cdk2 E2 Rbx1 P Cks1 interacts simultaneously with Cdk2 and Skp2, thereby facilitating p27 Cul1 Cks1 the interaction of phosphorylated p27 with the LRRs. In model C, Cks1 Skp1 Nedd8 Skp2 P interacts simultaneously with Cdk2, Skp2, and p27. The interaction Cul1 with phosphorylated p27 occurs through a phosphate-binding site Skp2 located on the surface of Cks1. (b) Comparison of Cks1 and Cks2 structures. Upper panel: Cks1 and Cks2 both have a phosphate- (b) binding site composed of Lys11, Arg20, Trp54 and Arg71 (in yellow), on a surface opposed to the Cdk interaction surface. Lower panel: Phosphate- major differences in the structures of Cks1 and Cks2 exist on a surface binding containing helices 1 and 2 and the carboxy-terminal tail. Identical surface residues are shown in gray, conservative changes in orange, and non- conservative changes in red. Glu63, which when mutated to glutamine blocks interaction with Cdk2 but not with SCFSkp2, is shown in green.

a level almost as high as wild-type Cks1, suggesting that the mechanism of activation can be Cdk2 independent. Cdk-binding surface How then does Cks1 participate? Work from both groups indicates that Cks1 enhances the interaction of phosphory- lated p27 with Skp2. However, precisely how Cks does this is not clear. One possibility is that binding of Cks to Skp2 promotes a structural change that facilitates the interaction of phosphorylated p27 with Skp2 (Figure 2a, model A). This idea is suggested by the finding that Cks1 can associate with Skp2 [2,3] independent of its associa- tion with Cdks [2]. The presumptive substrate-binding surface in Skp2, the LRRs, are occluded by a carboxy- terminal strand of Skp2 [25]. Given the precedent of other

LRR interactions, this strand would need to be nudged Current Biology away in order for p27 recognition and Cks1 might fulfill this task. One distinguishing feature of this model is that Cks1 functions independently of both Cdk2 and p27. whether Cks1 is simply recognizing the phosphate group or whether there are additional specific interactions, as Alternatively, Cks1 might physically bridge p27 and Skp2. would be anticipated if this is a physiologically relevant Here, two extremes are possible. In one case, Cks1 inter- interaction. In this regard, analysis of the interaction of acts in a phosphorylation-dependent manner with p27 Cks2 with phospho-p27 might be informative since this while simultaneously binding Skp2 (Figure 2a, model C). protein retains the phosphate binding site (Figure 2b) but This model is suggested by the finding that Cks1 binds to does not support p27 ubiquitination or bind Skp2 [2,3]. In phosphorylated p27 but not unphosphorylated p27 in vitro the second case, Cks1 may interact simultaneously with [3]. However, it is not clear at present whether this interac- Skp2 and p27 and allow specificity recognition of tion is relevant to ubiquitination or is simply a byproduct phospho-T187 by Skp2 (Figure 2a, model B). of the fact that Cks1 contains a phosphate-binding site. Thus far, only a single p27 phosphopeptide has been While, in principle, both bridging models could be Cdk examined for interaction with Cks1 and it is not clear independent, we cannot yet exclude the possibility that R434 Current Biology Vol 11 No 11

the form of Cks1 used in p27 ubiquitination in vivo is actu- can promote S-phase entry in quiescent fibroblasts in a ally the Cdk bound form (Figure 2a, models B and C). In manner that is blocked by non-phosphorylatable p27 [17] its complex with cyclin E–Cdk2–p27, Cks1 could simulta- and Skp2 can collaborate with such as Ras to neously contact p27 and Skp2, thereby holding one or transform cells in the lymphoid compartment [26]. More- both proteins in a conformation appropriate for interaction. over, it has recently been demonstrated that Skp2 is Moreover, both cyclins A and E have been demonstrated induced in multiple tumor types and this correlates with to interact with Skp2, so in principle, addition contacts reduced levels of p27 in such tumors [26]. may exist in the complex. The use of multiple interaction sites provides the basis for the exquisite specificity seen in Like Skp2, Cks1 expression is growth regulated; its ubiquitination reactions and provides a simple biophysical mRNA is absent during G1 but present during S phase [7]. explanation for why free p27 is a relatively poor ubiquiti- Thus, one would imagine that inactivation of p27 in cancer nation substrate. via the ubiquitin pathway would require, not only the induction of Skp2, but of Cks1 as well. In this regard, It is also likely that the precise docking of the p27 complex epithelial cells shut-off Cks1 transcription in response to with SCFSkp2 is important for orienting the relevant lysine the growth inhibitor TGF-β [27]. Given this link, it is residues in p27 for ubiquitin transfer. Thus, the role of tempting to speculate that other negative growth regula- Cks1 may go beyond simply facilitating binding of sub- tory pathways will function by limiting the levels of Skp2 strate and SCF. Obviously, structural analysis of the and/or Cks1 (Figure 1). Conversely, it is plausible that the complex will be required to determine the overall contri- Skp2 and Cks1 genes are coordinately activated in order to butions of these various interactions and whether Cks1 ensure that the two proteins are both present at the appro- function is Cdk independent or not. In addition, it is clear priate time in the to catalyze p27 destruction. that many targets of ubiquitin ligases are components of Understanding how these pathways are altered during multiprotein complexes. It seems likely that much of the transformation will be a challenge for the future. specificity in these cases reflect multisubunit interactions, many of which do not involve the protein that is targeted References for ubiquitination. 1. Pines J: Cell cycle: reaching for a role for the Cks proteins. Curr Biol 1996, 6:1399-1402. 2. Spruck C, Strohmaier H, Watson M, Smith APL, Ryan A, Krek W, Mammals and C. elegans both have two Cks homologs. As Reed SI: A CDK-independent function of mammalian Cks1: targeting of SCFSkp2 to the CDK inhibitor p27. Mol Cell 2001, mentioned above, Cks2 is unable to support p27 ubiquiti- 7:639-650. nation, despite the fact that it is 87% similar to Cks1. But 3. Ganoth D, Bornstein G, Ko TK, Larsen B, Tyers M, Pagano M, the fact that Cks1 mice are viable indicates that Cks2 may Hershko A: The cell-cycle regulatory protein Cks1 is required for SCFSkp2-mediated ubiquitinylation of p27. Nat Cell Biol 2001, be largely redundant with Cks1, especially for progression 3:321-324. through mitosis. The Cdk-binding and phosphate-binding 4. Hayles J, Beach D, Durkacz B, Nurse P: The fission yeast cell cycle β control cdc2: isolation of a sequence suc1 that suppresses surfaces, which are derived from the four-stranded sheet cdc2 mutant function. 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