Activation of the p34 CDC2 protein kinase at the start of S phase in the human cell cycle.

Using a protocol for selecting cells on the basis of both size and age (with respect to the preceding mitosis), we isolated highly synchronous human G1 cells. With this procedure, we demonstrated that the p34 CDC2 kinase was activated at the start of S phase. Cyclin A synthesis began at the same time, and activation of the p34 CDC2 kinase at the start of S phase was, at least in part, due to its association with cyclin A. Furthermore, cells synchronized in late G1 by exposure to the drug mimosine contain active cyclin A/p34 CDC2 kinase, indicating that p34 CDC2 activation can occur before DNA synthesis begins. Thus, the cyclin A/CDC2 complex, which previously has been shown to be sufficient to start SV40 DNA synthesis in vitro, assembles and is activated at the start of S phase in vivo.