Archaeal MCM Proteins as an Analog for the Eukaryotic Mcm2-7 Helicase to Reveal Essential Features of Structure and Function.

In eukaryotes, the replicative helicase is the large multisubunit CMG complex consisting of the Mcm2-7 hexameric ring, Cdc45, and the tetrameric GINS complex. The Mcm2-7 ring assembles from six different, related proteins and forms the core of this complex. In archaea, a homologous MCM hexameric ring functions as the replicative helicase at the replication fork. Archaeal MCM proteins form thermostable homohexamers, facilitating their use as models of the eukaryotic Mcm2-7 helicase. Here we review archaeal MCM helicase structure and function and how the archaeal findings relate to the eukaryotic Mcm2-7 ring.