Multiple functions for Drosophila Mcm10 suggested through analysis of two Mcm10 mutant alleles.
DNA replication and the correct packaging of DNA into different states of chromatin are both essential processes in all eukaryotic cells. High-fidelity replication of DNA is essential for the transmission of genetic material to cells. Likewise the maintenance of the epigenetic chromatin states is essential to the faithful reproduction of the transcriptional state of the cell. It is becoming more apparent that these two processes are linked through interactions between DNA replication proteins and chromatin-associated proteins. In addition, more proteins are being discovered that have dual roles in both DNA replication and the maintenance of epigenetic states. We present an analysis of two Drosophila mutants in the conserved DNA replication protein Mcm10. A hypomorphic mutant demonstrates that Mcm10 has a role in heterochromatic silencing and chromosome condensation, while the analysis of a novel C-terminal truncation allele of Mcm10 suggests that an interaction with Mcm2 is not required for chromosome condensation and heterochromatic silencing but is important for DNA replication.
Apger
Jennifer
J
Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, USA.
Reubens
Michael
M
Henderson
Laura
L
Gouge
Catherine A
CA
Ilic
Nina
N
Zhou
Helen H
HH
Christensen
Tim W
TW
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000235:genetics; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D059006:Chromosomes, Insect / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D064110:Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins; D009154:Mutation; D059007:Polytene Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020798:Two-Hybrid System Techniques
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006570:Heterochromatin; C489612:MCM10 protein, Drosophila; C555716:MCM2 protein, Drosophila; D064110:Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins