MCM6
MCM6 (minichromosome maintenance complex component 6, also known as Mis5) is a subunit of the MCM2-7 replicative helicase, which is essential for DNA replication initiation and elongation in eukaryotic cells. It is a nuclear, chromosome-associated member of the MCM family. Browse Assay Genie's current range of MCM6 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
MCM6 acts as a component of the MCM2-7 complex, the replicative helicase required for 'once per cell cycle' DNA replication initiation and elongation. It is a core component of the CDC45-MCM-GINS (CMG) helicase, the molecular machine that unwinds template DNA during replication and around which the replisome is built. The active ATPase sites in the MCM2-7 ring are formed at the interfaces of neighbouring subunits, with a conserved arginine finger provided in trans relative to the Walker A box ATP-binding site of the adjacent subunit. The six ATPase sites are likely to contribute differentially to helicase activity.
The MCM6 gene encodes one of the highly conserved mini-chromosome maintenance proteins that are essential for the initiation of eukaryotic genome replication. The hexameric MCM complex is a key component of the pre-replication complex and may be involved in the formation of replication forks and in the recruitment of other DNA replication proteins. A complex of MCM6 with MCM2, MCM4 and MCM7 possesses DNA helicase activity and may act as a DNA unwinding enzyme. Phosphorylation of the complex by CDC2 kinase reduces helicase activity, suggesting a role in regulating DNA replication.
The MCM6 protein belongs to the MCM family, and HGNC places it in the minichromosome maintenance 2-7 complex gene group. Its name and the Mis5 alias derive from yeast minichromosome maintenance mutants. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in intronic regions of the MCM6 gene are associated with differential transcriptional activation of the neighbouring lactase gene promoter, and so influence lactose intolerance in early adulthood. Mouse and rat each have an Mcm6 ortholog.
MCM6 is part of the MCM2-7 helicase needed for once-per-cell-cycle replication initiation and elongation, making it a core subject for replication licensing studies.
As a core component of the CDC45-MCM-GINS helicase, MCM6 supports work on how template DNA is unwound and how the replisome is assembled.
Phosphorylation of the MCM complex by CDC2 kinase reduces helicase activity, linking MCM6 to the regulation of DNA replication.
Intronic MCM6 variants influence activation of the neighbouring lactase promoter, relevant to research on lactose intolerance in early adulthood.
MCM6 is a subunit of the MCM2-7 complex, the replicative helicase required for DNA replication initiation and elongation. It is a core component of the CMG helicase, which unwinds template DNA, and contributes to ATPase sites formed between neighbouring subunits of the ring.
MCM6 stands for minichromosome maintenance complex component 6, and the UniProt name is DNA replication licensing factor MCM6. It is also known as Mis5. Earlier HGNC names refer to the yeast homologues, including S. pombe mis5 and S. cerevisiae minichromosome maintenance deficient 6.
MCM proteins are highly conserved and essential for eukaryotic genome replication; mouse and rat both carry an Mcm6 ortholog. Intronic MCM6 polymorphisms are associated with differential lactase promoter activation and influence lactose intolerance in early adulthood. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other MCM2-7 helicase subunits and MCM-associated proteins involved in DNA replication licensing.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q14566; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.