Nuclear localization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mcm2/Cdc19p requires MCM complex assembly

Quantity and quality of minichromosome maintenance protein complexes couple replication licensing to genome integrity

Accurate and complete replication of genetic information is a fundamental process of every cell division. The replication licensing is the first essential step that lays the foundation for error-free genome duplication. During licensing, minichromosome maintenance protein complexes, the molecular motors of DNA replication, are loaded to genomic sites called replication origins. The correct quantity and functioning of licensed origins are necessary to prevent genome instability associated with severe diseases, including cancer. Here, we delve into recent discoveries that shed light on the novel functions of licensed origins, the pathways necessary for their proper maintenance, and their implications for cancer therapies.

MCM2 in human cancer: functions, mechanisms, and clinical significance

Background

Aberrant DNA replication is the main source of genomic instability that leads to tumorigenesis and progression. MCM2, a core subunit of eukaryotic helicase, plays a vital role in DNA replication. The dysfunction of MCM2 results in the occurrence and progression of multiple cancers through impairing DNA replication and cell proliferation.

Conclusions

MCM2 is a vital regulator in DNA replication. The overexpression of MCM2 was detected in multiple types of cancers, and the dysfunction of MCM2 was correlated with the progression and poor prognoses of malignant tumors. According to the altered expression of MCM2 and its correlation with clinicopathological features of cancer patients, MCM2 was thought to be a sensitive biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and chemotherapy response. The anti-tumor effect induced by MCM2 inhibition implies the potential of MCM2 to be a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Since DNA replication stress, which may stimulate anti-tumor immunity, frequently occurs in MCM2 deficient cells, it also proposes the possibility that MCM2 targeting improves the effect of tumor immunotherapy.

MCMBP promotes the assembly of the MCM2-7 hetero-hexamer to ensure robust DNA replication in human cells

The MCM2–7 hetero-hexamer is the replicative DNA helicase that plays a central role in eukaryotic DNA replication. In proliferating cells, the expression level of the MCM2–7 hexamer is kept high, which safeguards the integrity of the genome. However, how the MCM2–7 hexamer is assembled in living cells remains unknown. Here, we revealed that the MCM-binding protein (MCMBP) plays a critical role in the assembly of this hexamer in human cells. MCMBP associates with MCM3 which is essential for maintaining the level of the MCM2–7 hexamer. Acute depletion of MCMBP demonstrated that it contributes to MCM2–7 assembly using nascent MCM3. Cells depleted of MCMBP gradually ceased to proliferate because of reduced replication licensing. Under this condition, p53-positive cells exhibited arrest in the G1 phase, whereas p53-null cells entered the S phase and lost their viability because of the accumulation of DNA damage, suggesting that MCMBP is a potential target for killing p53-deficient cancers.

Karyopherin-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport

Efficient and regulated nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of macromolecules to the correct subcellular compartment is critical for proper functions of the eukaryotic cell. The majority of the macromolecular traffic across the nuclear pores is mediated by the Karyopherin-β (or Kap) family of nuclear transport receptors. Work over more than two decades has shed considerable light on how the different Kap family members bring their respective cargoes into the nucleus or the cytoplasm in efficient and highly regulated manners. In this Review, we overview the main features and established functions of Kap family members, describe how Kaps recognize their cargoes and discuss the different ways in which these Kap-cargo interactions can be regulated, highlighting new findings and open questions. We also describe current knowledge of the import and export of the components of three large gene expression machines - the core replisome, RNA polymerase II and the ribosome - pointing out the questions that persist about how such large macromolecular complexes are trafficked to serve their function in a designated subcellular location.

Prospect of reprogramming replication licensing for cancer drug development

Eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication is preceded by replication licensing which involves the identification of the origin of replication by origin recognition complex (ORC). The ORC loads pre-replication complexes (pre-RCs) through a series of tightly regulated mechanisms where the ORC interacts with Cdc6 to recruit cdt1-MCM2-7 complexes to the origin of replication. In eukaryotes, adherence to regulatory mechanisms of the replication program is required to ensure that all daughter cells carry the exact copy of genetic material as the parent cell. Failure of which leads to the development of genome instability syndromes like cancer, diabetes, etc. In an event of such occurrence, preventing cells from carrying the defaulted genetic material and passing it to other cells hinges on the regulation of chromosomal DNA replication. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underpinning chromosomal DNA replication and particularly replication licensing can expose druggable enzymes, effector molecules, and secondary messengers that can be targeted for diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. Effectively drugging these molecular markers to reprogram pre-replication events can be used to control the fate of chromosomal DNA replication for the treatment of genome instability disorders and in this case, cancer. This review discusses available knowledge of replication licensing in the contest of molecular drug discovery for the treatment of cancer.

Facile manipulation of protein localization in fission yeast through binding of GFP-binding protein to GFP

GFP-binding protein (or GBP) has been recently developed in various systems and organisms as an efficient tool to purify GFP-fusion proteins. Due to the high affinity between GBP and GFP or GFP variants, this GBP-based approach is also ideally suited to alter the localization of functional proteins in live cells. In order to facilitate the wide use of the GBP-targeting approach in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we developed a set of pFA6a-, pJK148- and pUC119-based vectors containing GBP- or GBP-mCherry-coding sequences and variants of inducible nmt1 or constitutive adh1 promoters that result in different levels of expression. The GBP or GBP-mCherry fragments can serve as cassettes for N- or C-terminal genomic tagging of genes of interest. We illustrated the application of these vectors in the construction of yeast strains with Dma1 or Cdc7 tagged with GBP-mCherry and efficient targeting of Dma1- or Cdc7-GBP-mCherry to the spindle pole body by Sid4-GFP. This series of vectors should help to facilitate the application of the GBP-targeting approach in manipulating protein localization and the analysis of gene function in fission yeast, at the level of single genes, as well as at a systematic scale.

Characterization of a Novel MMS-Sensitive Allele of Schizosaccharomyces pombe mcm4

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex is the conserved helicase motor of the eukaryotic replication fork. Mutations in the Mcm4 subunit are associated with replication stress and double strand breaks in multiple systems. In this work, we characterize a new temperature-sensitive allele of Schizosaccharomyces pombe mcm4+ Uniquely among known mcm4 alleles, this mutation causes sensitivity to the alkylation damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Even in the absence of treatment or temperature shift, mcm4-c106 cells show increased repair foci of RPA and Rad52, and require the damage checkpoint for viability, indicating genome stress. The mcm4-c106 mutant is synthetically lethal with mutations disrupting fork protection complex (FPC) proteins Swi1 and Swi3. Surprisingly, we found that the deletion of rif1+ suppressed the MMS-sensitive phenotype without affecting temperature sensitivity. Together, these data suggest that mcm4-c106 destabilizes replisome structure.

Ki67, PCNA, and MCM proteins: Markers of proliferation in the diagnosis of breast cancer

The proliferative activity of tumour cells represents an important prognostic marker in the diagnosis of cancer. One of the methods for assessing the proliferative activity of cells is the immunohistochemical detection of cell cycle-specific antigens. For example, Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins are standard markers of proliferation that are commonly used to assess the growth fraction of a cell population. The function of Ki67, the widely used marker of proliferation, still remains unclear. In contrast, PCNA and MCM proteins have been identified as important participants of DNA replication. All three proteins only manifest their expression during the cell division of normal and neoplastic cells. Since the expression of these proliferative markers was confirmed in several malignant tumours, their prognostic and predictive values have been evaluated to determine their significance in the diagnosis of cancer. This review offers insight into the discovery of the abovementioned proteins, as well as their current molecular and biological importance. In addition, the functions and properties of all three proteins and their use as markers of proliferation in the diagnosis of breast cancer are described. This work also reveals new findings about the role of Ki67 during the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. Finally, information is provided about the advantages and disadvantages of using all three antigens in the diagnosis of cancer.

A Review of Fluorescent Proteins for Use in Yeast

The field of fluorescent proteins (FPs) is constantly developing. The use of FPs changed the field of life sciences completely, starting a new era of direct observation and quantification of cellular processes. The broad spectrum of FPs (see Fig. 1) with a wide range of characteristics allows their use in many different experiments. This review discusses the use of FPs for imaging in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe). The information included in this review is relevant for both species unless stated otherwise.

Essential domains of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad8 required for DNA damage response

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad8 is a conserved protein homologous to S. cerevisiaeRad5 and human HLTF that is required for error-free postreplication repair by contributing to polyubiquitylation of PCNA. It has three conserved domains: an E3 ubiquitin ligase motif, a SNF2-family helicase domain, and a family-specific HIRAN domain. Data from humans and budding yeast suggest that helicase activity contributes to replication fork regression and template switching for fork restart. We constructed specific mutations in the three conserved domains and found that both the E3 ligase and HIRAN domains are required for proper response to DNA damage caused by a variety of agents. In contrast, mutations in the helicase domain show no phenotypes in a wild-type background. To determine whether Rad8 functionally overlaps with other helicases, we compared the phenotypes of single and double mutants with a panel of 23 nonessential helicase mutants, which we categorized into five phenotypic groups. Synthetic phenotypes with rad8∆ were observed for mutants affecting recombination, and a rad8 helicase mutation affected the HU response of a subset of recombination mutants. Our data suggest that the S. pombe Rad8 ubiquitin ligase activity is important for response to a variety of damaging agents, while the helicase domain plays only a minor role in modulating recombination-based fork restart during specific forms of replication stress.

ATPase-dependent quality control of DNA replication origin licensing

The regulated loading of the Mcm2-7 DNA helicase (comprising six related subunits, Mcm2 to Mcm7) into pre-replicative complexes at multiple replication origins ensures precise once per cell cycle replication in eukaryotic cells. The origin recognition complex (ORC), Cdc6 and Cdt1 load Mcm2-7 into a double hexamer bound around duplex DNA in an ATP-dependent reaction, but the molecular mechanism of this origin 'licensing' is still poorly understood. Here we show that both Mcm2-7 hexamers in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are recruited to origins by an essential, conserved carboxy-terminal domain of Mcm3 that interacts with and stimulates the ATPase activity of ORC-Cdc6. ATP hydrolysis can promote Mcm2-7 loading, but can also promote Mcm2-7 release if components are missing or if ORC has been inactivated by cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation. Our work provides new insights into how origins are licensed and reveals a novel ATPase-dependent mechanism contributing to precise once per cell cycle replication.

Genomic instability in cancer

One of the fundamental challenges facing the cell is to accurately copy its genetic material to daughter cells. When this process goes awry, genomic instability ensues in which genetic alterations ranging from nucleotide changes to chromosomal translocations and aneuploidy occur. Organisms have developed multiple mechanisms that can be classified into two major classes to ensure the fidelity of DNA replication. The first class includes mechanisms that prevent premature initiation of DNA replication and ensure that the genome is fully replicated once and only once during each division cycle. These include cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-dependent mechanisms and CDK-independent mechanisms. Although CDK-dependent mechanisms are largely conserved in eukaryotes, higher eukaryotes have evolved additional mechanisms that seem to play a larger role in preventing aberrant DNA replication and genome instability. The second class ensures that cells are able to respond to various cues that continuously threaten the integrity of the genome by initiating DNA-damage-dependent "checkpoints" and coordinating DNA damage repair mechanisms. Defects in the ability to safeguard against aberrant DNA replication and to respond to DNA damage contribute to genomic instability and the development of human malignancy. In this article, we summarize our current knowledge of how genomic instability arises, with a particular emphasis on how the DNA replication process can give rise to such instability.

The fission yeast minichromosome maintenance (MCM)-binding protein (MCM-BP), Mcb1, regulates MCM function during prereplicative complex formation in DNA replication

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex is a replicative helicase, which is essential for chromosome DNA replication. In recent years, the identification of a novel MCM-binding protein (MCM-BP) in most eukaryotes has led to numerous studies investigating its function and its relationship to the MCM complex. However, the mechanisms by which MCM-BP functions and associates with MCM complexes are not well understood; in addition, the functional role of MCM-BP remains controversial and may vary between model organisms. The present study aims to elucidate the nature and biological function of the MCM-BP ortholog, Mcb1, in fission yeast. The Mcb1 protein continuously interacts with MCM proteins during the cell cycle in vivo and can interact with any individual MCM subunit in vitro. To understand the detailed characteristics of mcb1(+), two temperature-sensitive mcb1 gene mutants (mcb1(ts)) were isolated. Extensive genetic analysis showed that the mcb1(ts) mutants were suppressed by a mcm5(+) multicopy plasmid and displayed synthetic defects with many S-phase-related gene mutants. Moreover, cyclin-dependent kinase modulation by Cig2 repression or Rum1 overproduction suppressed the mcb1(ts) mutants, suggesting the involvement of Mcb1 in pre-RC formation during DNA replication. These data are consistent with the observation that Mcm7 loading onto replication origins is reduced and S-phase progression is delayed in mcb1(ts) mutants. Furthermore, the mcb1(ts) mutation led to the redistribution of MCM subunits to the cytoplasm, and this redistribution was dependent on an active nuclear export system. These results strongly suggest that Mcb1 promotes efficient pre-RC formation during DNA replication by regulating the MCM complex.

Contribution of DEAF1 structural domains to the interaction with the breast cancer oncogene LMO4

The proteins LMO4 and DEAF1 contribute to the proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. During breast cancer LMO4 is upregulated, affecting its interaction with other protein partners. This may set cells on a path to tumour formation. LMO4 and DEAF1 interact, but it is unknown how they cooperate to regulate cell proliferation. In this study, we identify a specific LMO4-binding domain in DEAF1. This domain contains an unstructured region that directly contacts LMO4, and a coiled coil that contains the DEAF1 nuclear export signal (NES). The coiled coil region can form tetramers and has the typical properties of a coiled coil domain. Using a simple cell-based assay, we show that LMO4 modulates the activity of the DEAF NES, causing nuclear accumulation of a construct containing the LMO4-interaction region of DEAF1.

Effect of an MCM4 mutation that causes tumours in mouse on human MCM4/6/7 complex formation

It has been reported that a point mutation of minichromosome maintenance (MCM)4 causes mammary carcinoma, and it deregulates DNA replication to produce abnormal chromosome structures. To understand the effect of this mutation at level of MCM2-7 interaction, we examined the effect of the same mutation of human MCM4 on the complex formation with MCM6 and MCM7 in insect cells. Human MCM4/6/7 complexes containing the mutated MCM4 were formed, but the hexameric complex formation was not evident in comparison with those containing wild-type MCM4. In binary expression of MCM4 and MCM6, decreased levels of MCM6 were recovered with the mutated MCM4, compared with wild-type MCM4. These results suggest that this mutation of MCM4 perturbs proper interaction with MCM6 to affect complex formation of MCM4/6/7 that is a core structure of MCM2-7 complex. Consistent with this notion, nuclear localization and MCM complex formation of forcedly expressed MCM4 in human cells are affected by this mutation. Thus, the defect of this mutant MCM4 in interacting with MCM6 may generate a decreased level of chromatin binding of MCM2-7 complex.

Cdt1p, through its interaction with Mcm6p, is required for the formation, nuclear accumulation and chromatin loading of the MCM complex

Regulation of DNA replication initiation is essential for the faithful inheritance of genetic information. Replication initiation is a multi-step process involving many factors including ORC, Cdt1p, Mcm2-7p and other proteins that bind to replication origins to form a pre-replicative complex (pre-RC). As a prerequisite for pre-RC assembly, Cdt1p and the Mcm2-7p heterohexameric complex accumulate in the nucleus in G1 phase in an interdependent manner in budding yeast. However, the nature of this interdependence is not clear, nor is it known whether Cdt1p is required for the assembly of the MCM complex. In this study, we provide the first evidence that Cdt1p, through its interaction with Mcm6p with the C-terminal regions of the two proteins, is crucial for the formation of the MCM complex in both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. We demonstrate that disruption of the interaction between Cdt1p and Mcm6p prevents the formation of the MCM complex, excludes Mcm2-7p from the nucleus, and inhibits pre-RC assembly and DNA replication. Our findings suggest a function for Cdt1p in promoting the assembly of the MCM complex and maintaining its integrity by interacting with Mcm6p.

Versatile use of Schizosaccharomyces pombe plasmids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The two model yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe appear to have diverged 1000 million years ago. Here, we describe that S. pombe vectors can be propagated efficiently in S. cerevisiae as pUR19 derivatives, and the pREP and pJR vector series carrying the S. cerevisiae LEU2 or the S. pombe ura4(+) selection marker are maintained in S. cerevisiae cells. In addition, genes transcribed from the S. pombe nmt1(+) promoter and derivatives are expressed in budding yeast. Thus, S. pombe vectors can be used as shuttle vectors in S. cerevisiae and S. pombe. Our finding greatly facilitates the testing for functional orthologs of protein families and simplifies the cloning of new S. pombe plasmids by using the highly efficient in vivo homologous recombination activity of S. cerevisiae.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe minichromosome maintenance-binding protein (MCM-BP) antagonizes MCM helicase

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex, a replicative helicase, is a heterohexamer essential for DNA duplication and genome stability. We identified Schizosaccharomyces pombe mcb1(+) (Mcm-binding protein 1), an apparent orthologue of the human MCM-binding protein that associates with a subset of MCM complex proteins. mcb1(+) is an essential gene. Deletion of mcb1(+) caused cell cycle arrest after several generations with a cdc phenotype and disrupted nuclear structure. Mcb1 is an abundant protein, constitutively present across the cell cycle. It is widely distributed in cytoplasm and nucleoplasm and bound to chromatin. Co-immunoprecipitation suggested that Mcb1 interacts robustly with Mcm3-7 but not Mcm2. Overproduction of Mcb1 disrupted the association of Mcm2 with other MCM proteins, resulting in inhibition of DNA replication, DNA damage, and activation of the checkpoint kinase Chk1. Thus, Mcb1 appears to antagonize the function of MCM helicase.

Incremental genetic perturbations to MCM2-7 expression and subcellular distribution reveal exquisite sensitivity of mice to DNA replication stress

Mutations causing replication stress can lead to genomic instability (GIN). In vitro studies have shown that drastic depletion of the MCM2-7 DNA replication licensing factors, which form the replicative helicase, can cause GIN and cell proliferation defects that are exacerbated under conditions of replication stress. To explore the effects of incrementally attenuated replication licensing in whole animals, we generated and analyzed the phenotypes of mice that were hemizygous for Mcm2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 null alleles, combinations thereof, and also in conjunction with the hypomorphic Mcm4(Chaos3) cancer susceptibility allele. Mcm4(Chaos3/Chaos3) embryonic fibroblasts have ∼40% reduction in all MCM proteins, coincident with reduced Mcm2-7 mRNA. Further genetic reductions of Mcm2, 6, or 7 in this background caused various phenotypes including synthetic lethality, growth retardation, decreased cellular proliferation, GIN, and early onset cancer. Remarkably, heterozygosity for Mcm3 rescued many of these defects. Consistent with a role in MCM nuclear export possessed by the yeast Mcm3 ortholog, the phenotypic rescues correlated with increased chromatin-bound MCMs, and also higher levels of nuclear MCM2 during S phase. The genetic, molecular and phenotypic data demonstrate that relatively minor quantitative alterations of MCM expression, homeostasis or subcellular distribution can have diverse and serious consequences upon development and confer cancer susceptibility. The results support the notion that the normally high levels of MCMs in cells are needed not only for activating the basal set of replication origins, but also "backup" origins that are recruited in times of replication stress to ensure complete replication of the genome.

The Mcm complex: unwinding the mechanism of a replicative helicase

The Mcm2-7 complex serves as the eukaryotic replicative helicase, the molecular motor that both unwinds duplex DNA and powers fork progression during DNA replication. Consistent with its central role in this process, much prior work has illustrated that Mcm2-7 loading and activation are landmark events in the regulation of DNA replication. Unlike any other hexameric helicase, Mcm2-7 is composed of six unique and essential subunits. Although the unusual oligomeric nature of this complex has long hampered biochemical investigations, recent advances with both the eukaryotic as well as the simpler archaeal Mcm complexes provide mechanistic insight into their function. In contrast to better-studied homohexameric helicases, evidence suggests that the six Mcm2-7 complex ATPase active sites are functionally distinct and are likely specialized to accommodate the regulatory constraints of the eukaryotic process.

Caspase-mediated cleavage of importin-alpha increases its affinity for MCM and downregulates DNA synthesis by interrupting the binding of MCM to chromatin

Importin-alpha is essential for classical nucleocytoplasmic transport of nuclear proteins. Here, we report that importin-alpha is cleaved by caspases during apoptosis, generating importin-alpha lacking an IBB domain. This truncated importin-alpha binds tightly to the MCM replication licensing factor and, thus, prevents its binding to chromatin and downregulates DNA synthesis. Together, our data reveal for the first time that a dying cell effectively salvages limited supplies of cellular energy to ensure an orderly process of its own demise by simultaneously downregulating nucleocytoplasmic protein transport and DNA synthesis. Strikingly, cells can achieve this multi-task process by simply cleaving-off a key nuclear import protein.

The N- and C-termini of Elg1 contribute to the maintenance of genome stability

ELG1 (enhanced level of genome instability) encodes a Replication Factor C (RFC) homolog that is important for the maintenance of genome stability. Elg1 interacts with Rfc2-5, forming the third alternative RFC complex identified to date. We found that Elg1 plays a role in the suppression of spontaneous DNA damage in addition to its previously identified roles in the resistance to DNA damage. Using mutational analysis we examined the function of conserved and unique regions of Elg1 in these roles. We found that the Walker A motif in the conserved RFC region is dispensable for Elg1 function in vivo. The RFC region is important for association with chromatin although residues predicted to mediate interactions with DNA are dispensable for Elg1 function. The unique C-terminus of Elg1 mediates oligomerization with Rfc2-5, nuclear import, and chromatin association, and is critical for the function of Elg1. Finally, we demonstrated that the N-terminus of Elg1 contributes to the maintenance of genome stability, and that one function of this N-terminus is to promote the nuclear localization of Elg1. Together, these studies delineate the regions of Elg1 important for its function in damage resistance and in the suppression of spontaneous DNA damage.

The MCM helicase: linking checkpoints to the replication fork

The MCM (minichromosome maintenance) complex is a helicase which is essential for DNA replication. Recent results suggest that the MCM helicase is important for replication fork integrity, and may function as a target of the replication checkpoint. Interactions between MCM proteins, checkpoint kinases, and repair and recovery proteins suggest that MCMs are proximal effectors of replication fork stability in the cell and are likely to play an important role in maintaining genome integrity.

Minichromosome maintenance proteins interact with checkpoint and recombination proteins to promote s-phase genome stability

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex plays essential, conserved roles throughout DNA synthesis: first, as a component of the prereplication complex at origins and, then, as a helicase associated with replication forks. Here we use fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) as a model to demonstrate a role for the MCM complex in protecting replication fork structure and promoting recovery from replication arrest. Loss of MCM function generates lethal double-strand breaks at sites of DNA synthesis during replication elongation, suggesting replication fork collapse. MCM function also maintains the stability of forks stalled by hydroxyurea that activate the replication checkpoint. In cells where the checkpoint is activated, Mcm4 binds the Cds1 kinase and undergoes Cds1-dependent phosphorylation. MCM proteins also interact with proteins involved in homologous recombination, which promotes recovery from arrest by ensuring normal mitosis. We suggest that the MCM complex links replication fork stabilization with checkpoint arrest and recovery through direct interactions with checkpoint and recombination proteins and that this role in S-phase genome stability is conserved from yeast to human cells.

De novo replication of the influenza virus RNA genome is regulated by DNA replicative helicase, MCM

By dissecting and reconstituting a cell-free influenza virus genome replication system, we have purified and identified the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex, which is thought to be a DNA replicative helicase, as one of the host factors that regulate the virus genome replication. MCM interacted with the PA subunit of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is found to be involved in the replication genetically. The virus genome replication was decreased in MCM2 knockdown cells. The viral polymerase appeared to be a nonproductive complex, that is, it was capable of initiating replication but produced only abortive short RNA chains. MCM stimulated de novo-initiated replication reaction by stabilizing a replication complex during its transition from initiation to elongation. Based on the findings, including the result that the MCM-mediated RNA replication reaction was competed with exogenously added RNA, we propose that MCM functions as a scaffold between the nascent RNA chains and the viral polymerase.

Interactions and subcellular distribution of DNA replication initiation proteins in eukaryotic cells

For initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication the origin recognition complex (ORC) associates with chromatin sites and constitutes a landing pad allowing Cdc6, Cdt1 and MCM proteins to accomplish the pre-replication complex (pre-RC). In S phase, the putative MCM helicase is assumed to move away from the ORC to trigger DNA unwinding. By using the fluorescence-based assays bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) we show in live mammalian cells that one key interaction in pre-RC assembly, the interaction between Orc2 and Orc3, is not restricted to the nucleus but also occurs in the cytoplasm. BRET assays also revealed a direct interaction between Orc2 and nuclear localization signal (NLS)-depleted Orc3. Further, we assessed the subcellular distribution of Orc2 and Orc3 in relation to MCM proteins Mcm3 and Mcm6 as well as to a key protein involved in elongation of DNA replication, proliferating nuclear cell antigen (PCNA). Our findings illustrate the spatial complexity of the elaborated process of DNA replication as well as that the BRET and BiFC techniques are novel tools that could contribute to our understanding of the processes at the very beginning of the duplication of the genome.

A novel checkpoint mechanism regulating the G1/S transition

Ultraviolet irradiation of fission yeast cells in G1 phase induced a delay in chromatin binding of replication initiation factors and, consistently, a transient delay in S-phase entry. The cell cycle delay was totally dependent on the Gcn2 kinase, a sensor of the nutritional status, and was accompanied by phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2alpha and by a general depression of translation. However, the G1-specific synthesis of factors required for DNA replication was not reduced by ultraviolet radiation. The cell cycle delay represents a novel checkpoint with a novel mechanism of action that is not activated by ionizing radiation.

Mouse pre-replicative complex proteins colocalise and interact with the centrosome

Initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication is achieved by the sequential binding of different proteins to origins of DNA replication. Using EGFP-tagged initiator proteins and immunofluorescence techniques we found that most of the ORC and the MCM subunits are localised at centrosomes and are colocalised with the polo-like protein kinase, Plk1. Yeast two-hybrid studies revealed interactions of Plk1 with the Mcm2 as well as the Orc2 protein. Co-immunoprecipitations showed an interaction of Plk1 with Mcm2 as well as interactions of gamma-tubulin with Mcm3 and Orc2, respectively. An in vitro phosphorylation assay showed that the Orc2 protein is a substrate of Plk1. Depletion of Orc2 and Mcm3 by siRNA leads to an inhibition of cell proliferation, an altered cell cycle distribution as well as to multinucleated cells with insufficiently organised microtubules. These results indicate an important role of the MCM and ORC proteins in mitosis besides their described role in the establishment of the pre-replicative complex.

Analysis of Mcm2–7 chromatin binding during anaphase and in the transition to quiescence in fission yeast

Mcm2-7 proteins are generally considered to function as a heterohexameric complex, providing helicase activity for the elongation step of DNA replication. These proteins are loaded onto replication origins in M-G1 phase in a process termed licensing or pre-replicative complex formation. It is likely that Mcm2-7 proteins are loaded onto chromatin simultaneously as a pre-formed hexamer although some studies suggest that subcomplexes are recruited sequentially. To analyze this process in fission yeast, we have compared the levels and chromatin binding of Mcm2-7 proteins during the fission yeast cell cycle. Mcm subunits are present at approximately 1 x 10(4) molecules/cell and are bound with approximately equal stoichiometry on chromatin in G1/S phase cells. Using a single cell assay, we have correlated the timing of chromatin association of individual Mcm subunits with progression through mitosis. This showed that Mcm2, 4 and 7 associate with chromatin at about the same stage of anaphase, suggesting that licensing involves the simultaneous binding of these subunits. We also examined Mcm2-7 chromatin association when cells enter a G0-like quiescent state. Chromatin binding is lost in this transition in a process that does not require DNA replication or the selective degradation of specific subunits.

Progesterone blocks estrogen-induced DNA synthesis through the inhibition of replication licensing

In the uterus, progesterone (P4) acts early in G1 as a physiological inhibitor of estradiol-17beta (E2)-induced epithelial cell proliferation. Gene expression profiling of uterine epithelial cell RNA isolated 3 h after hormonal treatment of ovariectomized mice revealed the co-coordinate down-regulation by P4 of >20 genes whose functions are associated with DNA replication. This group included all of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins that are required for DNA replication licensing. E2 regulated loading of these MCM proteins onto chromatin in parallel with its induction of DNA synthesis. E2 caused this chromatin loading by retention of MCM proteins in the nucleus and through the induction of the loading factor Cdt1, which is necessary for the MCM heterohexamer to bind to the origin of DNA replication. P4 dramatically reduced the binding of the MCMs to chromatin by a number of mechanisms. First, MCM mRNA and protein abundance was down-regulated. Second, P4 inhibited the E2 induction of Cdt1. Third, P4 treatment sequestered the normally nuclear MCM proteins into the cytoplasm. This reduced MCM binding resulted in the complete inhibition of E2-induced DNA synthesis by P4. These data reveal mechanisms not only for female sex steroid hormone action but also in the regulation of DNA replication licensing.

A sequence motif conserved in diverse nuclear proteins identifies a protein interaction domain utilised for nuclear targeting by human TFIIS

The three structural domains of transcription elongation factor TFIIS are conserved from yeast to human. Although the N-terminal domain is not needed for transcriptional activity, a similar sequence has been identified previously in other transcription factors. We found this conserved sequence, the LW motif, in another three human proteins that are predominantly nuclear localized. We investigated two examples to determine whether the LW motif is actually a dedicated nuclear targeting signal. However, in one of the newly identified proteins, hIWS1 (human Iws1), a region containing classic nuclear localization signals (NLS) rather than the LW motif was necessary and sufficient for nuclear targeting in HeLa cells. In contrast, human TFIIS does not possess an NLS and only constructs containing the LW motif were efficiently targeted to nuclei. Moreover, mutations in the motif could cause cytoplasmic accumulation of TFIIS and enabled a structure/function assay for the domain based on the efficiency of nuclear targeting. Finally, GST pull-down assays showed that the LW motif is part of a protein-binding domain. We suggest that the targeting role the LW motif plays in TFIIS arises from its more general function as a protein interaction domain, enabling TFIIS to bind a carrier protein(s) that accomplishes nuclear import.

MCM7 amplification and overexpression are associated with prostate cancer progression

The genomic DNA profiles of prostate cancers with aggressive features were compared to the profiles of matched normal DNA to identify genes that are selectively amplified in the cancer cells. One of the identified genes, MCM7, which is a component of the DNA replication licensing complex, has been studied extensively both at the DNA and protein levels in human prostate tissues. Approximately half of the prostate cancer specimens studied showed MCM7 gene amplification, and 60% of the aggressive prostate cancer specimens had increased MCM7 protein expression. Amplification or overexpression of MCM7 was significantly associated with relapse, local invasion and a worse tumor grade. Constitutive expression of MCM7 in a human prostate cancer cell line, DU145, resulted in markedly increased DNA synthesis and cell proliferation compared to vector-only controls, and an increased cell invasion in vitro. Indeed, MCM7 overexpression produced primary tumors 12 times larger than vector-only controls and resulted in a rapid demise of mice bearing those tumors. These studies implicate MCM7, and the DNA replication licensing gene family, in prostate cancer progression, growth and invasion.

CDK phosphorylation of a novel NLS-NES module distributed between two subunits of the Mcm2-7 complex prevents chromosomal rereplication

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) use multiple mechanisms to block reassembly of prereplicative complexes (pre-RCs) at replication origins to prevent inappropriate rereplication. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one of these mechanisms promotes the net nuclear export of a pre-RC component, the Mcm2-7 complex, during S, G2, and M phases. Here we identify two partial nuclear localization signals (NLSs) on Mcm2 and Mcm3 that are each necessary, but not sufficient, for nuclear localization of the Mcm2-7 complex. When brought together in cis, however, the two partial signals constitute a potent NLS, sufficient for robust nuclear localization when fused to an otherwise cytoplasmic protein. We also identify a Crm1-dependent nuclear export signal (NES) adjacent to the Mcm3 NLS. Remarkably, the Mcm2-Mcm3 NLS and the Mcm3 NES are sufficient to form a transport module that recapitulates the cell cycle-regulated localization of the entire Mcm2-7 complex. Moreover, we show that CDK regulation promotes net export by phosphorylation of the Mcm3 portion of this module and that nuclear export of the Mcm2-7 complex is sufficient to disrupt replication initiation. We speculate that the distribution of partial transport signals among distinct subunits of a complex may enhance the specificity of protein localization and raises the possibility that previously undetected distributed transport signals are used by other multiprotein complexes.

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has two importin-alpha proteins, Imp1p and Cut15p, which have common and unique functions in nucleocytoplasmic transport and cell cycle progression

The nuclear import of classical nuclear localization signal-containing proteins depends on importin-alpha transport receptors. In budding yeast there is a single importin-alpha gene and in higher eukaryotes there are multiple importin-alpha-like genes, but in fission yeast there are two: the previously characterized cut15 and the more recently identified imp1. Like other importin-alpha family members, Imp1p supports nuclear protein import in vitro. In contrast to cut15, imp1 is not essential for viability, but imp1delta mutant cells exhibit a telophase delay and mild temperature-sensitive lethality. Differences in the cellular functions that depend on Imp1p and Cut15p indicate that they each have unique physiological roles. They also have common roles because the imp1delta and the cut15-85 temperature-sensitive mutations are synthetically lethal; overexpression of cut15 partially suppresses the temperature sensitivity, but not the mitotic delay in imp1delta cells; and overexpression of imp1 partially suppresses the mitotic defect in cut15-85 cells but not the loss of viability. Both Imp1p and Cut15p are required for the efficient nuclear import of both an SV40 nuclear localization signal-containing reporter protein and the Pap1p component of the stress response MAP kinase pathway. Imp1p and Cut15p are essential for efficient nuclear protein import in S. pombe.

Profilin-mediated competition between capping protein and formin Cdc12p during cytokinesis in fission yeast

Fission yeast capping protein SpCP is a heterodimer of two subunits (Acp1p and Acp2p) that binds actin filament barbed ends. Neither acp1 nor acp2 is required for viability, but cells lacking either or both subunits have cytokinesis defects under stressful conditions, including elevated temperature, osmotic stress, or in combination with numerous mild mutations in genes important for cytokinesis. Defects arise as the contractile ring constricts and disassembles, resulting in delays in cell separation. Genetic and biochemical interactions show that the cytokinesis formin Cdc12p competes with capping protein for actin filament barbed ends in cells. Deletion of acp2 partly suppresses cytokinesis defects in temperature-sensitive cdc12-112 cells and mild overexpression of capping protein kills cdc12-112 cells. Biochemically, profilin has opposite effects on filaments capped with Cdc12p and capping protein. Profilin depolymerizes actin filaments capped by capping protein but allows filaments capped by Cdc12p to grow at their barbed ends. Once associated with a barbed end, either Cdc12p or capping protein prevents the other from influencing polymerization at that end. Given that capping protein arrives at the division site 20 min later than Cdc12p, capping protein may slowly replace Cdc12p on filament barbed ends in preparation for filament disassembly during ring constriction.

Structural Polymorphism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus MCM

The minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins are essential for replication initiation and elongation in eukarya and archaea. There are six MCM proteins in eukaryotes, and MCM complexes are believed to unwind DNA during chromosomal DNA replication. However, the mechanism and structure of the MCM complexes are not known. Only one MCM is found in the archaeon Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus (mtMCM), and this provides a simpler system for study. The crystal structure of a mtMCM N-terminal fragment has been solved, but surprisingly only subtle structural changes were seen between the wild-type protein and one having a mutation corresponding to the yeast MCM5 bob1 mutation. The bob1 mutation bypasses the phosphorylation required for activation of MCM in yeast. We have used electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction to examine a number of different fragments of mtMCM, and can visualize a large conformational change within the N-terminal fragment. This offers new insight into the conformational dynamics of MCM and the phosphorylation-bypass phenotype in yeast.

The A78V mutation in the Mad3-like domain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Bub1p perturbs nuclear accumulation and kinetochore targeting of Bub1p, Bub3p, and Mad3p and spindle assembly checkpoint function

During mitosis, the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) responds to faulty attachments between kinetochores and the mitotic spindle by imposing a metaphase arrest until the defect is corrected, thereby preventing chromosome missegregation. A genetic screen to isolate SAC mutants in fission yeast yielded point mutations in three fission yeast SAC genes: mad1, bub3, and bub1. The bub1-A78V mutant is of particular interest because it produces a wild-type amount of protein that is mutated in the conserved but uncharacterized Mad3-like region of Bub1p. Characterization of mutant cells demonstrates that the alanine at position 78 in the Mad3-like domain of Bub1p is required for: 1) cell cycle arrest induced by SAC activation; 2) kinetochore accumulation of Bub1p in checkpoint-activated cells; 3) recruitment of Bub3p and Mad3p, but not Mad1p, to kinetochores in checkpoint-activated cells; and 4) nuclear accumulation of Bub1p, Bub3p, and Mad3p, but not Mad1p, in cycling cells. Increased targeting of Bub1p-A78V to the nucleus by an exogenous nuclear localization signal does not significantly increase kinetochore localization or SAC function, but GFP fused to the isolated Bub1p Mad 3-like accumulates in the nucleus. These data indicate that Bub1p-A78V is defective in both nuclear accumulation and kinetochore targeting and that a threshold level of nuclear Bub1p is necessary for the nuclear accumulation of Bub3p and Mad3p.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe replication protein Cdc45/Sna41 requires Hsk1/Cdc7 and Rad4/Cut5 for chromatin binding

Cdc45 is a conserved protein required for firing of replication origins and processive DNA replication. We used an in situ chromatin-binding assay to determine factors required for fission yeast Cdc45p chromatin binding. Assembly of the pre-replicative complex is essential for Cdc45p chromatin binding, but pre-replicative complex assembly occurs independently of Cdc45p. Fission yeast Cdc45p associates with MCM proteins in asynchronously growing cells and cells arrested in S phase by hydroxyurea, but not in cells arrested at the G2/M transition. Both hsk1+ (the fission yeast CDC7 homologue) and rad4+/ cut5+ (the fission yeast DPB11 homologue) are required for Cdc45p chromatin binding. Cdc45p also remains chromatin-bound in mutants that fail to recover from replication arrest. In summary, Cdc45p chromatin binding requires an intact pre-replicative complex as well as signaling from both the Dbf4-dependent kinase and cyclin-dependent kinases.

Ectopic expression of the petunia MADS box gene UNSHAVEN accelerates flowering and confers leaf-like characteristics to floral organs in a dominant-negative manner

Several genes belonging to the MADS box transcription factor family have been shown to be involved in the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. The Petunia hybrida MADS box gene UNSHAVEN (UNS) shares sequence similarity with the Arabidopsis thaliana flowering gene SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1, is expressed in vegetative tissues, and is downregulated upon floral initiation and the formation of floral meristems. To understand the role of UNS in the flowering process, knockout mutants were identified and UNS was expressed ectopically in petunia and Arabidopsis. No phenotype was observed in petunia plants in which UNS was disrupted by transposon insertion, indicating that its function is redundant. Constitutive expression of UNS leads to an acceleration of flowering and to the unshaven floral phenotype, which is characterized by ectopic trichome formation on floral organs and conversion of petals into organs with leaf-like features. The same floral phenotype, accompanied by a delay in flowering, was obtained when a truncated version of UNS, lacking the MADS box domain, was introduced. We demonstrated that the truncated protein is not translocated to the nucleus. Using the overexpression approach with both the full-length and the nonfunctional truncated UNS protein, we could distinguish between phenotypic alterations because of a dominant-negative action of the protein and because of its native function in promoting floral transition.

MCM proteins: DNA damage, mutagenesis and repair

The MCM2-7 complex, which may act as a replicative helicase during DNA synthesis, plays a central role in S-phase genome stability. MCM proteins are required for processive DNA replication and are a target of S-phase checkpoints. Loss of MCM function causes DNA damage and genome instability. MCM expression is upregulated in proliferating cells, providing a diagnostic marker for both cancerous cells and cells with the potential to become malignant. The role of the MCM complex in genome integrity reflects its activity both at active replication forks and away from forks.

Rsp1p, a J Domain Protein Required for Disassembly and Assembly of Microtubule Organizing Centers during the Fission Yeast Cell Cycle

Regulation of microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) orchestrates the reorganization of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, an equatorial MTOC (eMTOC) at the cell division site disassembles after cytokinesis, and multiple interphase MTOCs (iMTOCs) appear on the nucleus. Here, we show that, upon eMTOC disassembly, small satellites carrying MTOC components such as the gamma-tubulin complex travel in both directions along interphase MTs. We identify rsp1p, an MTOC protein required for eMTOC disassembly. In rsp1 loss-of-function mutants, the eMTOC persists and organizes an abnormal microtubule aster, while iMTOCs and satellites are greatly reduced. Conversely, rsp1p overexpression inhibits eMTOC formation. Rsp1p is a J domain protein that interacts with an hsp70. Thus, our findings suggest a model in which rsp1p is part of a chaperone-based mechanism that disassembles the eMTOC into satellites, contributing to the dynamic redistribution of MTOC components for organization of interphase microtubules.

Eukaryotic MCM proteins: beyond replication initiation

The minichromosome maintenance (or MCM) protein family is composed of six related proteins that are conserved in all eukaryotes. They were first identified by genetic screens in yeast and subsequently analyzed in other experimental systems using molecular and biochemical methods. Early data led to the identification of MCMs as central players in the initiation of DNA replication. More recent studies have shown that MCM proteins also function in replication elongation, probably as a DNA helicase. This is consistent with structural analysis showing that the proteins interact together in a heterohexameric ring. However, MCMs are strikingly abundant and far exceed the stoichiometry of replication origins; they are widely distributed on unreplicated chromatin. Analysis of mcm mutant phenotypes and interactions with other factors have now implicated the MCM proteins in other chromosome transactions including damage response, transcription, and chromatin structure. These experiments indicate that the MCMs are central players in many aspects of genome stability.

Efficient labeling of fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe with thymidine and BUdR

In this paper we report the construction of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain that facilitates analysis of replicating DNA. The strain co-expresses the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (hsv-tk) and a human equilibrative nucleoside transporter (hENT1). The double integrant efficiently incorporates 3H-thymidine into nuclear DNA as monitored by scintillation counting. These strains also incorporate the thymidine analog Bromodeoxy uridine (BUdR) into newly replicated DNA, which can be detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. This strain provides a valuable tool for direct study of DNA replication in S.pombe.

Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rdh54 (TID1) acts with Rhp54 (RAD54) to repair meiotic double-strand breaks

We report the characterization of rdh54+, the second fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad54 homolog. rdh54+ shares sequence and functional homology to budding yeast RDH54/TID1. Rdh54p is present during meiosis with appropriate timing for a meiotic recombination factor. It interacts with Rhp51 and the meiotic Rhp51 homolog Dmc1 in yeast two-hybrid assays. Deletion of rdh54+ has no effect on DNA damage repair during the haploid vegetative cell cycle. In meiosis, however, rdh54Delta shows decreased spore viability and homologous recombination with a concomitant increase in sister chromatid exchange. The rdh54Delta single mutant repairs meiotic breaks with similar timing to wild type, suggesting redundancy of meiotic recombination factors. Consistent with this, the rdh54Delta rhp54Delta double mutant fails to repair meiotic double strand breaks. Live cell analysis shows that rdh54Delta rhp54Delta asci do not arrest, but undergo both meiotic divisions with near normal timing, suggesting that failure to repair double strand breaks in S. pombe meiosis does not result in checkpoint arrest.

The 'ORC cycle': a novel pathway for regulating eukaryotic DNA replication

The function of the 'origin recognition complex' (ORC) in eukaryotic cells is to select genomic sites where pre-replication complexes (pre-RCs) can be assembled. Subsequent activation of these pre-RCs results in bi-directional DNA replication that originates at or close to the ORC DNA binding sites. Recent results have revealed that one or more of the six ORC subunits is modified during the G1 to S-phase transition in such a way that ORC activity is inhibited until mitosis is complete and a nuclear membrane is assembled. In yeast, Cdk1/Clb phosphorylates ORC. In frog eggs, pre-RC assembly destabilizes ORC/chromatin sites, and ORC is eventually hyperphosphorylated and released. In mammals, the affinity of Orc1 for chromatin is selectively reduced during S-phase and restored during early G1-phase. Unbound Orc1 is ubiquitinated during S-phase and in some cases degraded. Thus, most, perhaps all, eukaryotes exhibit some manifestation of an 'ORC cycle' that restricts the ability of ORC to initiate pre-RC assembly to the early G1-phase of the cell cycle, making the 'ORC cycle' the premier step in determining when replication begins.

Identification and functional characterization of a new member of the human Mcm protein family: hMcm8

The six minichromosome maintenance proteins (Mcm2-7) are required for both the initiation and elongation of chromosomal DNA, ensuring that DNA replication takes place once, and only once, during the S phase. Here we report on the cloning of a new human Mcm gene (hMcm8) and on characterisation of its protein product. The hMcm8 gene contains the central Mcm domain conserved in the Mcm2-7 gene family, and is expressed in a range of cell lines and human tissues. hMcm8 mRNA accumulates during G(1)/S phase, while hMcm8 protein is detectable throughout the cell cycle. Immunoprecipitation-based studies did not reveal any participation of hMcm8 in the Mcm3/5 and Mcm2/4/6/7 subcomplexes. hMcm8 localises to the nucleus, although it is devoid of a nuclear localisation signal, suggesting that it binds to a nuclear protein. In the nucleus, the hMcm8 structure-bound fraction is detectable in S, but not in G(2)/M, phase, as for hMcm3. However, unlike hMcm3, the hMcm8 structure-bound fraction is not detectable in G(1) phase. Overall, our data identify a new Mcm protein, which does not form part of the Mcm2-7 complex and which is only structure-bound during S phase, thus suggesting its specific role in DNA replication.

Ctr6, a vacuolar membrane copper transporter in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Aerobic organisms possess efficient systems for the transport of copper. This involves transporters that mediate the passage of copper across biological membranes to reach essential intracellular copper-requiring enzymes. In this report, we identify a new copper transporter in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, encoded by the ctr6(+) gene. The transcription of ctr6(+) is induced under copper-limiting conditions. This regulation is mediated by the cis-acting promoter element CuSE (copper-signaling element) through the copper-sensing transcription factor Cuf1. An S. pombe strain bearing a disrupted ctr6Delta allele displays a strong reduction of copper,zinc superoxide dismutase activity. When the ctr6+ gene is overexpressed from the thiamine-inducible nmt1(+) promoter, the cells are unable to grow on medium containing exogenous copper. Surprisingly, this copper-sensitive growth phenotype is not due to an increase of copper uptake at the cell surface. Instead, copper delivery across the plasma membrane is reduced. Consistently, this results in repressing ctr4(+) gene expression. By using a functional ctr6(+) epitope-tagged allele expressed under the control of its own promoter, we localize the Ctr6 protein on the membrane of vacuoles. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Ctr6 is an integral membrane protein that can trimerize. Moreover, we show that Ctr6 harbors a putative copper-binding Met-X-His-Cys-X-Met-X-Met motif in the amino terminus, which is essential for its function. Our findings suggest that under conditions in which copper is scarce, Ctr6 is required as a means to mobilize stored copper from the vacuole to the cytosol.

DNA replication in eukaryotic cells

The maintenance of the eukaryotic genome requires precisely coordinated replication of the entire genome each time a cell divides. To achieve this coordination, eukaryotic cells use an ordered series of steps to form several key protein assemblies at origins of replication. Recent studies have identified many of the protein components of these complexes and the time during the cell cycle they assemble at the origin. Interestingly, despite distinct differences in origin structure, the identity and order of assembly of eukaryotic replication factors is highly conserved across all species. This review describes our current understanding of these events and how they are coordinated with cell cycle progression. We focus on bringing together the results from different organisms to provide a coherent model of the events of initiation. We emphasize recent progress in determining the function of the different replication factors once they have been assembled at the origin.

Genes involved in the initiation of DNA replication in yeast

Replication and segregation of the information contained in genomic DNA are strictly regulated processes that eukaryotic cells alternate to divide successfully. Experimental work on yeast has suggested that this alternation is achieved through oscillations in the activity of a serine/threonine kinase complex, CDK, which ensures the timely activation of DNA synthesis. At the same time, this CDK-mediated activation sets up the basis of the mechanism that ensures ploidy maintenance in eukaryotes. DNA synthesis is initiated at discrete sites of the genome called origins of replication on which a prereplicative complex (pre-RC) of different protein subunits is formed during the G1 phase of the cell division cycle. Only after pre-RCs are formed is the genome competent to be replicated. Several lines of evidence suggest that CDK activity prevents the assembly of pre-RCs ensuring single rounds of genome replication during each cell division cycle. This review offers a descriptive discussion of the main molecular events that a unicellular eukaryote such as the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergoes to initiate DNA replication.