title: Helicase loading: how to build a MCM2-7 double-hexamer.
abstract: A central step in eukaryotic initiation of DNA replication is the loading of the helicase at replication origins, misregulation of this reaction leads to DNA damage and genome instability. Here we discuss how the helicase becomes recruited to origins and loaded into a double-hexamer around double-stranded DNA. We specifically describe the individual steps in complex assembly and explain how this process is regulated to maintain genome stability. Structural analysis of the helicase loader and the helicase has provided key insights into the process of double-hexamer formation. A structural comparison of the bacterial and eukaryotic system suggests a mechanism of helicase loading.
authors.affiliation: DNA Replication Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riera
authors.affiliation: DNA Replication Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tognetti
authors.affiliation: DNA Replication Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK. Electronic address: chris.speck@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Speck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004261:DNA Replication; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans; D064110:Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D018741:Replication Origin
chemical_list: D064110:Minichromosome Maintenance Proteins
keywords: DNA replication; Helicase; Licensing; MCM2-7; Pre-RC