title: MCM: one ring to rule them all.
abstract: Precise replication of the eukaryotic genome is achieved primarily through strict regulation of the enzyme responsible for DNA unwinding, the replicative helicase. The motor of this helicase is a hexameric AAA+ ATPase called MCM. The loading of MCM onto DNA and its subsequent activation and disassembly are each restricted to separate cell cycle phases; this ensures that a functional replisome is only built once at any replication origin. In recent years, biochemical and structural studies have shown that distinct conformational changes in MCM, each requiring post-translational modifications and/or the activity of other replication proteins, define the various stages of the chromosome replication cycle. Here, we review recent progress in this area.
authors: The Francis Crick Institute, Clare Hall Laboratory, South Mimms, Herts EN6 3LD, United Kingdom.
authors: Tom D
authors: TD
authors: Deegan
authors: The Francis Crick Institute, Clare Hall Laboratory, South Mimms, Herts EN6 3LD, United Kingdom. Electronic address: john.diffley@crick.ac.uk.
authors: John F X
authors: JF
authors: Diffley
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002875:Chromosomes; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases