Cdk1 coordinates cell-surface growth with the cell cycle

The mechanisms that control cell growth during the cell cycle are poorly understood. In budding yeast, cyclin dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) triggers polarization of the actin cytoskeleton and bud emergence in late G1 through activation of the Cdc42 GTPase. However, Cdk1 is not thought to be required for subsequent growth of the bud. Here, we show that Cdk1 has an unexpected role in controlling bud growth after bud emergence. Moreover, we show that G1 cyclin-Cdk1 complexes specifically phosphorylate multiple proteins associated with Cdc24, the guanine nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) that activates the Cdc42 GTPase. A mutant form of a Cdc24-associated protein that fails to undergo Cdk1-dependent phosphorylation causes defects in bud growth. These results provide a direct link between Cdk1 activity and the control of polarized cell growth.