The F-box protein p45(SKP2) is the substrate-targeting subunit of the ubiqu
itin-protein ligase SCFSKP2 and is frequently overexpressed in transformed
cells. Here we report that expression of p45(SKP2) in untransformed fibrobl
asts activates DNA synthesis in cells that would otherwise growth-arrest. E
xpression of p45(SKP2) in quiescent fibroblasts promotes p27(Kip1) degradat
ion, allows the generation of cyclin-A-dependent kinase activity and induce
s S phase. Coexpression of a degradation-resistant p27(Kip1) mutant suppres
ses p45(SKP2)-induced cyclin-A-kinase activation and S-phase entry. We prop
ose that p45(SKP2) is important in the progression from quiescence to S pha
se and that the ability of p45(SKP2) to promote p27(Kip1) degradation is a
key aspect of its S-phase-inducing function. In transformed cells, p45(SKP2
) may contribute to deregulated initiation of DNA replication by interferin
g with p27(Kip1) function.