Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding mouse Cdc21 and CDC46 homologs and characterization of the products: physical interaction between P1(MCM3) and CDC46 proteins

Integrative transcriptomics and proteomics analysis constructs a new molecular model for ovule abortion in the female-sterile line of Pinus tabuliformis Carr

Ovule development is critical to plant reproduction and free nuclear mitosis of megagametophyte (FNMM) is vital for ovule development. However, most results of ovule development were based on the studies in angiosperms, and its molecular regulation remained largely unknown in gymnosperms, particularly, during FNMM. In this context, we studied the genome-wide difference between sterile line (SL) and fertile line (FL) ovules using transcriptomics and proteomics approaches in Pinus tabuliformis Carr. Comparative analyses revealed that genes involved in DNA replication, DNA damage repair, Cell cycle, Apoptosis and Energy metabolism were highlighted. Further results showed the low expressions of MCM 2-7, RRM1, etc. perhaps led to abnormal DNA replication and damage repair, and the significantly different expressions of PARP2, CCs1, CCs3, etc. implied that the accumulated DNA double-stranded breaks were failed to be repaired and the cell cycle was arrested at G2/M in SL ovules, potentially resulting in the occurrence of apoptosis. Moreover, the deficiency of ETF-QO might hinder FNMM. Consequently, FNMM stopped and ovule aborted in SL ovules. Our results suggested a selective regulatory mechanism led to FNMM half-stop and ovule abortion in P. tabuliformis and these insights could be exploited to investigate the molecular regulations of ovule development in woody gymnosperms.

Changes in MCM2-7 proteins at senescence

Cellular aging is characterized by the loss of DNA replication capability and is mainly brought about by various changes in chromatin structure. Here, we examined changes in MCM2-7 proteins, which act as a replicative DNA helicase, during aging of human WI38 fibroblasts at the single-cell level. We used nuclear accumulation of p21 as a marker of senescent cells, and examined changes in MCM2-7 by western blot analysis. First, we found that senescent cells are enriched for cells with a DNA content higher than 4N. Second, the levels of MCM2, MCM3, MCM4 and MCM6 proteins decreased in senescent cells. Third, cytoplasmic localization of MCM2 and MCM7 was observed in senescent cells, from an analysis of MCM2-7 except for MCM5. Consistent with this finding, fragmented MCM2 was predominant in these cells. These age-dependent changes in MCM2-7, a protein complex that directly affects cellular DNA replication, may play a critical role in cellular senescence.

Mechanisms and regulation of DNA replication initiation in eukaryotes

Cellular DNA replication is initiated through the action of multiprotein complexes that recognize replication start sites in the chromosome (termed origins) and facilitate duplex DNA melting within these regions. In a typical cell cycle, initiation occurs only once per origin and each round of replication is tightly coupled to cell division. To avoid aberrant origin firing and re-replication, eukaryotes tightly regulate two events in the initiation process: loading of the replicative helicase, MCM2-7, onto chromatin by the origin recognition complex (ORC), and subsequent activation of the helicase by its incorporation into a complex known as the CMG. Recent work has begun to reveal the details of an orchestrated and sequential exchange of initiation factors on DNA that give rise to a replication-competent complex, the replisome. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms that underpin eukaryotic DNA replication initiation - from selecting replication start sites to replicative helicase loading and activation - and describe how these events are often distinctly regulated across different eukaryotic model organisms.

The hepatocyte as a microbial product-responsive cell

Much research has focused on the responses to microbial products of immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. Although the liver is a primary response organ in various infections, relatively little is known about the antimicrobial responses of its major cell type, the hepatocyte. It is now known that the recognition of bacteria occurs via cell-surface proteins that are members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family. In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is bound by circulating LPS-binding protein (LBP) and presented to cell-surface CD14, which in turn interacts with TLR and transduces an intracellular signal. We investigated the CD14 and TLR2 responses of whole liver and isolated hepatocytes, and demonstrated that these cells can be induced to express the molecules necessary for responses to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Our findings may have clinical implications for pathological states such as sepsis.

Geminin inhibits a late step in the formation of human pre-replicative complexes

The initial step in initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication involves the assembly of pre-replicative complexes (pre-RCs) at origins of replication during the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In metazoans initiation is inhibited by the regulatory factor Geminin. We have purified the human pre-RC proteins, studied their interactions in vitro with each other and with origin DNA, and analyzed the effects of HsGeminin on formation of DNA-protein complexes. The formation of an initial complex containing the human origin recognition complex (HsORC), HsCdt1, HsCdc6, and origin DNA is cooperative, involving all possible binary interactions among the components. Maximal association of HsMCM2-7, a component of the replicative helicase, requires HsORC, HsCdc6, HsCdt1, and ATP, and is driven by interactions of HsCdt1 and HsCdc6 with multiple HsMCM2-7 subunits. Formation of stable complexes, resistant to high salt, requires ATP hydrolysis. In the absence of HsMCM proteins, HsGeminin inhibits the association of HsCdt1 with DNA or with HsORC-HsCdc6-DNA complexes. However, HsGeminin does not inhibit recruitment of HsMCM2-7 to DNA to form complexes containing all of the pre-RC proteins. In fact, HsGeminin itself is a component of such complexes, and interacts directly with the HsMcm3 and HsMcm5 subunits of HsMCM2-7, as well as with HsCdt1. Although HsGeminin does not prevent the initial formation of DNA-protein complexes containing the pre-RC proteins, it strongly inhibits the formation of stable pre-RCs that are resistant to high salt. We suggest that bound HsGeminin prevents transition of the pre-RC to a state that is competent for initiation of DNA replication.

Interaction of human minichromosome maintenance protein-binding protein with minichromosome maintenance 2-7

It has been reported that minichromosome maintenance protein-binding protein (MCM-BP) functions in the formation of the pre-replication complex, unloading of minichromosome maintenance (MCM)2-7 from chromatin in late S phase, and formation of the cohesion complex by interacting with MCM3-7 proteins, suggesting that MCM-BP functions in several different reactions during the cell cycle. Here, we examined the interaction of human MCM-BP with MCM2-7 and structural maintenance of chromosome 3 in synchronized HeLa cells by immunoprecipitation. The results show that MCM-BP mainly interacts with MCM7 in the Triton-soluble fraction from S phase and G(2) phase cells, and it also interacts with structural maintenance of chromosome 3 in the fraction from G(2) phase cells. In vitro studies show that MCM-BP disassembles MCM2-7 bound to DNA with a fork-like structure by interacting with MCM3, MCM5, and MCM7. These results suggest that MCM-BP functions in disassembling MCM2-7 on chromatin during S phase and G2 phase by interacting with MCM3, MCM5, and MCM7.

Inhibition of DNA binding of MCM2-7 complex by phosphorylation with cyclin-dependent kinases

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) that plays a central role in preventing re-replication of DNA phosphorylates several replication proteins to inactivate them. MCM4 in MCM2-7 and RPA2 in RPA are phosphorylated with CDK in vivo. There are inversed correlations between the phosphorylation of these proteins and their chromatin binding. Here, we examined in vitro phosphorylation of human replication proteins of MCM2-7, RPA, TRESLIN, CDC45 and RECQL4 with CDK2/cyclinE, CDK2/cyclinA, CDK1/cyclinB, CHK1, CHK2 and CDC7/DBF4 kinases. MCM4, RPA2, TRESLIN and RECQL4 were phosphorylated with CDKs. Effect of the phosphorylation by CDK2/cyclinA on DNA-binding abilities of MCM2-7 and RPA was examined by gel-shift analysis. The phosphorylation of RPA did not affect its DNA-binding ability but that of MCM4 inhibited the ability of MCM2-7. Change of six amino acids of serine and threonine to alanines in the amino-terminal region of MCM4 rendered the mutant MCM2-7 insensitive to the inhibition with CDK. These biochemical data suggest that phosphorylation of MCM4 at these sites by CDK plays a direct role in dislodging MCM2-7 from chromatin and/or preventing re-loading of the complex to chromatin.

Cell proliferation index determination by immunohistochemical detection of hCDC47 protein

A member of the human minichromosome maintenance complex protein family, hCDC47 (alias MCM7) has been identified as a component of the regulatory mechanism in cell proliferation. The expression of this protein, as determined by immunohistochemistry, was investigated to determine its application as a proliferation marker. A mouse monoclonal antibody (Clone 47DC141, NeoMarkers, Fremont CA) raised against recombinant hCDC47 protein was tested against a wide range of tissues. Immunoreaction patterns were determined in normal and neoplastic, human tissues, including skin, tonsils and lymph nodes, primary, and metastatic brain tumors. The protein was detected in the nuclei of both, normal and neoplastic proliferating cells. Similarly, we also examined the distribution of hCDC47 in normal rat and mouse tissues, and rodent and human tumors grown in nude mice.The pattern of immunolocalization was identical to that seen in human tissue, with positive nuclear immunoreaction readily identified in proliferating cells. Western immunoblot was carried out on extracts from PANC cells (human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line) to confirm the specificity of the protein. To correlate Ki67 protein immunoexpression with hCDC47 antibody reactivity, semiquantitative comparisons were carried out on parallel tissue sections. There was excellent correlation in the distribution pattern of the 2 markers, although hCDC47 was more sensitive.Thus this marker may have important clinical and research applications because of its activity in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, proliferating, normal, and neoplastic tissue. More significantly, its application to animal tissue makes it a reliable and easy to use, proliferation marker for experimental studies.

Prohibitin physically interacts with MCM proteins and inhibits mammalian DNA replication

Prohibitin, a tumor suppressor protein, has been shown to repress E2F-mediated transcription and arrest cell cycle progression. while prohibitin has been proposed to regulate cell cycle progression by repressing transcriptional targets of E2F1, it is not clear whether other mechanisms are also involved in mediating the growth arrest. Here we demonstrate that prohibitin can function as a potent inhibitor of DNA replication by interacting with members of Minichromosome maintenance complex of proteins (MCM2-7). The data presented here indicates that prohibitin can physically interact with MCM2, MCM5 and MCM7 in in vitro GST binding assays as well as in MCF-7 cells as seen by immunoprecipitation-western blot experiments. The association was cell cycle dependent, and more pronounced 4-8 hours after serum stimulation of quiescent cells. Prohibitin associated more robustly with MCM2 and MCM5 compared to MCM7, suggesting that prohibitin mainly interacts with the regulatory subunits of the MCM complex. Confirming these results, prohibitin was found to co-localize with MCM2, MCM5 and MCM7 in MCF-7 cells, as seen by double immunofluorescence experiments. Further, Prohibitin strongly inhibited DNA replication in an in vitro replication assay. These results strongly suggest that prohibitin effectively represses replication by interacting with the components of mammalian replication machinery and this might contribute to the growth regulatory properties of prohibitin.

Human INT6 interacts with MCM7 and regulates its stability during S phase of the cell cycle

The mouse int6 gene is a frequent integration site of the mouse mammary tumor virus and INT6 silencing by RNA interference in HeLa cells causes an increased number of cells in the G2/M phases of the cell cycle, along with mitotic defects. In this report, we investigated the functional significance of the interaction between INT6 and MCM7, which was observed in a two-hybrid screen performed with INT6 as bait. It was found that proteasome inhibition strengthens interaction between both proteins and that INT6 stabilizes MCM7. Removal of MCM7 from chromatin as replication proceeds was accelerated in INT6-silenced cells and reduced amounts of protein were transiently observed, followed by a correction resulting from stimulation of mcm7 gene expression. Synchronized cells depleted for either INT6 or MCM7 display a reduction in thymidine incorporation and a reinforced association of RPA and claspin with chromatin. These data show that INT6 stabilizes chromatin-bound MCM7 and that alteration of this effect is associated with replication deficiency.

Identification of ventricular-side-enriched molecules regulated in a stage-dependent manner during cerebral cortical development

Radial glial cells are the main component of the embryonic cortical ventricular zone (VZ), producing deep-layer excitatory neurons in the early stage and upper-layer excitatory neurons in the late stage of development. Previous studies have suggested that the laminar fate of deep-layer neurons might be determined by early-stage-specific secretory or transmembrane molecules (S/TMs) in the VZ. However, the different properties required to produce the different types of neurons in early-stage and late-stage VZ cells are largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the stage-dependent transcriptional profiles of the ventricular side of the mouse cortex, which was manually dissected at embryonic day (E)12, E14 and E16, and identified 3985 'VZ-enriched' genes, regulated stage-dependently, by GeneChip analysis. These molecules were classified into nine types based on stage-dependent regulation patterns. Prediction programs for the S/TMs revealed 659 'VZ-enriched' S/TMs. In situ hybridization and real-time PCR analysis for several of these molecules showed results consistent with the statistical analysis of the GeneChip experiments. Moreover, we identified 17 cell cycle-related early-stage and 'VZ-enriched' molecules. These molecules included not only those involved in cell cycle progression, but also essential molecules for DNA double-strand break repair, such as Rad51 and Rpa1. These results suggest that the early stage-VZ cells, which produce both deep- and upper-layer neurons, and the late-stage VZ cells, which produce only upper-layer neurons, are intrinsically different. The gene lists presented here will be useful for the investigation of stage-dependent changes in VZ cells and their regulatory mechanisms in the developing cortex.

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.

Interaction and assembly of murine pre-replicative complex proteins in yeast and mouse cells

Eukaryotic cells coordinate chromosome duplication by the assembly of protein complexes at origins of DNA replication by sequential binding of member proteins of the origin recognition complex (ORC), CDC6, and minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins. These pre-replicative complexes (pre-RCs) are activated by cyclin-dependent kinases and DBF4/CDC7 kinase. Here, we carried out a comprehensive yeast two-hybrid screen to establish sequential interactions between two individual proteins of the mouse pre-RC that are probably required for the initiation of DNA replication. The studies revealed multiple interactions among ORC subunits and MCM proteins as well as interactions between individual ORC and MCM proteins. In particular CDC6 was found to bind strongly to ORC1 and ORC2, and to MCM7 proteins. DBF4 interacts with the subunits of ORC as well as with MCM proteins. It was also demonstrated that CDC7 binds to different ORC and MCM proteins. CDC45 interacts with ORC1 and ORC6, and weakly with MCM3, -6, and -7. The three subunits of the single-stranded DNA binding protein RPA show interactions with various ORC subunits as well as with several MCM proteins. The data obtained by yeast two-hybrid analysis were paradigmatically confirmed in synchronized murine FM3A cells by immunoprecipitation of the interacting partners. Some of the interactions were found to be cell-cycle-dependent; however, most of them were cell-cycle-independent. Altogether, 90 protein-protein interactions were detected in this study, 52 of them were found for the first time in any eukaryotic pre-RC. These data may help to understand the complex interplay of the components of the mouse pre-RC and should allow us to refine its structural architecture as well as its assembly in real time.

Enhanced expression of Mcm proteins in cancer cells derived from uterine cervix

Minichromosome maintenance proteins (Mcm) 2-7 play essential roles in eukaryotic DNA replication. Several reports have indicated the usefulness of Mcm proteins as markers of cancer cells in histopathological diagnosis. However, their mode of expression and pathophysiological significance in cancer cells remain to be clarified. We compared the level of expression of Mcm proteins among human HeLa uterine cervical carcinoma cells, SV40-transformed human fibroblast GM00637 cells and normal human fibroblast WI-38 cells. All the proteins examined were detected in HeLa and GM cells at 6-10 times the level found in WI-38 cells on average. This increase was observed both in total cellular proteins and in the chromatin-bound fraction. Consistently, Mcm2 mRNA was enriched in HeLa cells to approximately four times the level in WI-38 cells, and the synthesis of Mcm4, 6 and 7 proteins was accelerated in HeLa cells. Immunohistochemical studies of surgical materials from human uterine cervix showed that Mcm3 and 4 are ubiquitously expressed in cancer cells. Further, the positive rate and level of Mcm3 and 4 expression appeared to be higher in cancer cells than in normal proliferating cells of the uterine cervix and dysplastic cells, suggesting that they can be useful markers to distinguish these cells.

Reconstitution of the Mcm2-7p heterohexamer, subunit arrangement, and ATP site architecture

The Mcm2-7p heterohexamer is the presumed replicative helicase in eukaryotic cells. Each of the six subunits is required for replication. We have purified the six Saccharomyces cerevisiae MCM proteins as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli and have reconstituted the Mcm2-7p complex from individual subunits. Study of MCM ATPase activity demonstrates that no MCM protein hydrolyzes ATP efficiently. ATP hydrolysis requires a combination of two MCM proteins. The fifteen possible pairwise mixtures of MCM proteins yield only three pairs of MCM proteins that produce ATPase activity. Study of the Mcm3/7p ATPase shows that an essential arginine in Mcm3p is required for hydrolysis of the ATP bound to Mcm7p. Study of the pairwise interactions between MCM proteins connects the remaining MCM proteins to the Mcm3/7p pair. The data predict which subunits in the ATPase pairs bind the ATP that is hydrolyzed and indicate the arrangement of subunits in the Mcm2-7p heterohexamer.

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.

A potential role for mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins in initiation at the dihydrofolate reductase replication origin

Mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins were originally identified in yeast, and homologues have been identified in several other eukaryotic organisms, including mammals. These findings suggest that the mechanisms by which eukaryotic cells initiate and regulate DNA replication have been conserved throughout evolution. However, it is clear that many mammalian origins are much more complex than those of yeast. An example is the Chinese hamster dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) origin, which resides in the spacer between the DHFR and 2BE2121 genes. This origin consists of a broad zone of potential sites scattered throughout the 55-kb spacer, with several subregions (e.g. ori-beta, ori-beta', and ori-gamma) being preferred. We show here that antibodies to human MCMs 2-7 recognize counterparts in extracts prepared from hamster cells; furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation data demonstrate the presence of an MCM2-3-5 subcomplex as observed in other species. To determine whether MCM proteins play a role in initiation and/or elongation in Chinese hamster cells, we have examined in vivo protein-DNA interactions between the MCMs and chromatin in the DHFR locus using a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) approach. In synchronized cultures, MCM complexes associate preferentially with DNA in the intergenic initiation zone early in S-phase during the time that replication initiates. However, significant amounts of MCMs were also detected over the two genes, in agreement with recent observations that the MCM complex co-purifies with RNA polymerase II. As cells progress through S-phase, the MCMs redistribute throughout the DHFR domain, suggesting a dynamic interaction with DNA. In asynchronous cultures, in which replication forks should be found at any position in the genome, MCM proteins were distributed relatively evenly throughout the DHFR locus. Altogether, these data are consistent with studies in yeast showing that MCM subunits localize to origins during initiation and then migrate outward with the replication forks. This constitutes the first evidence that mammalian MCM complexes perform a critical role during the initiation and elongation phases of replication at the DHFR origin in hamster cells.

Kinetics of core histones in living human cells: little exchange of H3 and H4 and some rapid exchange of H2B

Histones H2A and H2B form part of the same nucleosomal structure as H3 and H4. Stable HeLa cell lines expressing histones H2B, H3, and H4 tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were established; the tagged molecules were assembled into nucleosomes. Although H2B-GFP was distributed like DNA, H3-GFP and H4-GFP were concentrated in euchromatin during interphase and in R-bands in mitotic chromosomes. These differences probably result from an unregulated production of tagged histones and differences in exchange. In both single cells and heterokaryons, photobleaching revealed that H2B-GFP exchanged more rapidly than H3-GFP and H4-GFP. About 3% of H2B exchanged within minutes, whereas approximately 40% did so slowly (t(1/2) approximately 130 min). The rapidly exchanging fraction disappeared in 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole and so may represent H2B in transcriptionally active chromatin. The slowly exchanging fraction was probably associated with chromatin domains surrounding active units. H3-GFP and H4-GFP were assembled into chromatin when DNA was replicated, and then >80% remained bound permanently. These results reveal that the inner core of the nucleosome is very stable, whereas H2B on the surface of active nucleosomes exchanges continually.

Epidermal growth factor sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation by down-regulating protein mutated in ataxia-telangiectasia

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been reported to either sensitize or protect cells against ionizing radiation. We report here that EGF increases radiosensitivity in both human fibroblasts and lymphoblasts and down-regulates both ATM (mutated in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T)) and the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs). No further radiosensitization was observed in A-T cells after pretreatment with EGF. The down-regulation of ATM occurs at the transcriptional level. Concomitant with the down-regulation of ATM, the DNA binding activity of the transcription factor Sp1 decreased. A causal relationship was established between these observations by demonstrating that up-regulation of Sp1 DNA binding activity by granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor rapidly reversed the EGF-induced decrease in ATM protein and restored radiosensitivity to normal levels. Failure to radiosensitize EGF-treated cells to the same extent as observed for A-T cells can be explained by induction of ATM protein and kinase activity with time post-irradiation. Although ionizing radiation damage to DNA rapidly activates ATM kinase and cell cycle checkpoints, we have provided evidence for the first time that alteration in the amount of ATM protein occurs in response to both EGF and radiation exposure. Taken together these data support complex control of ATM function that has important repercussions for targeting ATM to improve radiotherapeutic benefit.

Regulation of chromosome replication

The initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells is tightly controlled to ensure that the genome is faithfully duplicated once each cell cycle. Genetic and biochemical studies in several model systems indicate that initiation is mediated by a common set of proteins, present in all eukaryotic species, and that the activities of these proteins are regulated during the cell cycle by specific protein kinases. Here we review the properties of the initiation proteins, their interactions with each other, and with origins of DNA replication. We also describe recent advances in understanding how the regulatory protein kinases control the progress of the initiation reaction. Finally, we describe the checkpoint mechanisms that function to preserve the integrity of the genome when the normal course of genome duplication is perturbed by factors that damage the DNA or inhibit DNA synthesis.

The human homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mcm10 interacts with replication factors and dissociates from nuclease-resistant nuclear structures in G(2) phase

Mcm10 (Dna43), first identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is an essential protein which functions in the initiation of DNA synthesis. Mcm10 is a nuclear protein that is localized to replication origins and mediates the interaction of the Mcm2-7 complex with replication origins. We identified and cloned a human cDNA whose product was structurally homologous to the yeast Mcm10 protein. Human Mcm10 (HsMcm10) is a 98-kDa protein of 874 amino acids which shows 23 and 21% overall similarity to Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc23 and S. cerevisiae Mcm10, respectively. The messenger RNA level of HsMcm10 increased at the G(1)/S-boundary when quiescent human NB1-RGB cells were induced to proliferate as is the case of many replication factors. HsMcm10 associated with nuclease-resistant nuclear structures throughout S phase and dissociated from it in G(2) phase. HsMcm10 associated with human Orc2 protein when overexpressed in COS-1 cells. HsMcm10 also interacted with Orc2, Mcm2 and Mcm6 proteins in the yeast two-hybrid system. These results suggest that HsMcm10 may function in DNA replication through the interaction with Orc and Mcm2-7 complexes.

Comparative microarray analysis of gene expression during apoptosis-induction by growth factor deprivation or protein kinase C inhibition

The transcriptional response of mouse pro-B cells to two different apoptotic stimuli was investigated. First, interleukin-3 (IL-3) deprivation was used to trigger programmed cell death in IL-3 dependent FL5.12 cells. Alternatively, cells were treated with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporine. The temporal pattern of gene expression was followed with cDNA microarrays, covering over 8700 different mouse cDNA sequences corresponding to approximately 7900 unique genes. Messenger RNA levels of 315 genes were found to be regulated by more than twofold upon IL-3 removal, while 125 genes reacted to staurosporine treatment. Cross-comparison revealed an intersection of 34 genes similarly regulated in both pathways and thus representing candidates for common apoptosis regulators. For many expressed sequence tags (ESTs) our data suggest for the first time functions in the control of apoptosis, stress response or the cell cycle. IL-3 removal led to the repression of genes required for proliferation and to the induction of genes, linked to apoptotic and signaling pathways. Staurosporine caused predominantly activation of genes, some of which had previously been described to be involved in inflammation. Our findings indicate that cellular responses to both apoptotic stimuli influence various physiological pathways which had not previously been known to be linked.

Differential effects of virulent versus avirulent Legionella pneumophila on chemokine gene expression in murine alveolar macrophages determined by cDNA expression array technique

The cDNA expression array technique is a powerful tool to determine, at one time from many genes, specific gene messages modulated by infection. In the present study, we identified genes modulated in response to virulent versus avirulent Legionella pneumophila infection of the alveolar macrophage cell line MH-S by the cDNA expression array technique. Many macrophage genes were found to be modulated after 5 h of in vitro infection with L. pneumophila. In particular, it was found that the monocyte chemotactic protein 3 (MCP-3) gene expression was significantly induced by infection with virulent L. pneumophila but not with avirulent L. pneumophila. In contrast, other chemokine genes, such as macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP) 1alpha, were induced by both virulent and avirulent L. pneumophila. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay of total RNA isolated from macrophages infected with the bacteria for 5 or 24 h confirmed the differential induction of the chemokine genes by virulent versus avirulent L. pneumophila. Thus, the cDNA expression array technique readily revealed differential induction by L. pneumophila infection of select chemokine genes of macrophages from more than 1,100 genes. These results also indicate that certain chemokine genes may be selectively induced by virulent bacteria.

Electron microscopic observation and single-stranded DNA binding activity of the Mcm4,6,7 complex

Mcm2-7 proteins that play an essential role in eukaryotic DNA replication contain DNA-dependent ATPase motifs in a central domain that, from yeast to mammals, is highly conserved. Our group has reported that a DNA helicase activity is associated with a 600 kDa human Mcm4, 6 and 7 complex. The structure of the Mcm4,6,7 complex was visualized by electron microscopy after negative staining with uranyl acetate. The complex contained toroidal forms with a central channel and also contained structures with a slit. Gel-shift analysis indicated that the level of affinity of the Mcm4,6,7 complex for single-stranded DNA was comparable to that of SV40 T antigen, although the Mcm4,6,7 complex required longer single-stranded DNA for the binding than did SV40 T antigen. The nucleoprotein complexes of Mcm4,6,7 and single-stranded DNA were visualized as beads in a queue or beads on string-like structures. The formation of these nucleoprotein complexes was erased by Mcm2 that is a potential inhibitor of the Mcm4,6,7 helicase. We also found that the DNA helicase activity of Mcm4,6,7 complex was inhibited by the binding of Mcm3,5 complex. These results support the notion that the Mcm4,6,7 complex functions as a DNA helicase and the formation of 600 kDa complex is essential for the activity.

Biochemical analysis of the intrinsic Mcm4-Mcm6-mcm7 DNA helicase activity

Mcm proteins play an essential role in eukaryotic DNA replication, but their biochemical functions are poorly understood. Recently, we reported that a DNA helicase activity is associated with an Mcm4-Mcm6-Mcm7 (Mcm4,6,7) complex, suggesting that this complex is involved in the initiation of DNA replication as a DNA-unwinding enzyme. In this study, we have expressed and isolated the mouse Mcm2, 4,6,7 proteins from insect cells and characterized various mutant Mcm4,6,7 complexes in which the conserved ATPase motifs of the Mcm4 and Mcm6 proteins were mutated. The activities associated with such preparations demonstrated that the DNA helicase activity is intrinsically associated with the Mcm4,6,7 complex. Biochemical analyses of these mutant Mcm4,6,7 complexes indicated that the ATP binding activity of the Mcm6 protein in the complex is critical for DNA helicase activity and that the Mcm4 protein may play a role in the single-stranded DNA binding activity of the complex. The results also indicated that the two activities of DNA helicase and single-stranded DNA binding can be separated.

Chorion gene amplification in Drosophila: A model for metazoan origins of DNA replication and S-phase control

The mechanisms controlling duplication of the metazoan genome are only beginning to be understood. It is still unclear what organization of DNA sequences constitutes a chromosomal origin of DNA replication, and the regulation of origin activity during the cell cycle has not been fully revealed. We review recent results that indicate that chorion gene amplification in follicle cells of the Drosophila ovary is a model for investigating metazoan replication. Evaluation of cis sequence organization and function suggests that chorion loci share attributes with other replicons and provides insights into metazoan origin structure. Moreover, recent results indicate that chorion origins respond to S-phase control, but escape mechanisms that inhibit other origins from firing more than once in a cell cycle. Several identified genes that mediate amplification are critical for the cell cycle control of replication initiation. It is likely that further genetic screens for mutations that disrupt amplification will identify the cadre of proteins associated with origins and the regulatory pathways that control their activity. Furthermore, the recent development of methods to detect amplification in situ has uncovered new aspects of its developmental control. Examining this control will reveal links between developmental pathways and the cell cycle machinery. Visualization of amplifying chorion genes with high resolution also represents an opportunity to evaluate the influence of nuclear and chromosome structure on origin activity. The study of chorion amplification in Drosophila, therefore, provides great potential for the genetic and molecular dissection of metazoan replication.

Multistep regulation of DNA replication by Cdk phosphorylation of HsCdc6

We have characterized HsCdc6, a human protein homologous to the budding yeast Cdc6p that is essential for DNA replication. We show that, unlike Cdc6p, the levels of HsCdc6 protein remain constant throughout the cell cycle in human cells. However, phosphorylation of HsCdc6 is regulated during the cell cycle. HsCdc6 is an excellent substrate for Cdk2 in vitro and is phosphorylated in vivo at three sites (Ser-54, Ser-74, and Ser-106) that are phosphorylated by Cdk2 in vitro, strongly suggesting that HsCdc6 is an in vivo Cdk substrate. HsCdc6 is nuclear in G1, but translocates to the cytoplasm at the start of S phase via Crm1-dependent export. An HsCdc6A1A2A3 mutant, which mimics unphosphorylated HsCdc6, is exclusively nuclear, and its expression inhibits initiation of DNA replication. An HsCdc6E1E2E3 mutant, which mimics phosphorylated HsCdc6, is exclusively cytoplasmic and is not associated with the chromatin/nuclear matrix fraction. Based on these results, we propose that phosphorylation of HsCdc6 by Cdks regulates DNA replication of at least two steps: first, by promoting initiation of DNA replication and, second, through nuclear exclusion preventing DNA rereplication.

Identification of the sequence responsible for the nuclear localization of human Cdc6

The Cdc6 is the essential protein for the initiation of DNA replication. Cdc6 is localized in the G1 nucleus, and abnormal nuclear localization of this protein induces irregular initiation of DNA replication. We identified here that amino acids K57 and R58 in the human Cdc6 protein play an important role in the nuclear localization of the protein. The fundamental features of the mechanism regulating the localization of Cdc6 seem to be maintained in yeast, Xenopus, and human, since the amino acid sequence surrounding K57 and R58, (S/T)PXKR(L/I), is conserved in these species. Substitution of amino acid residue S54 with E and not Q blocked partially the nuclear localization of the protein, implying that the phosphorylation at S54 is involved in the regulating mechanism of the cell cycle-dependent localization of Cdc6.

Evidence for different MCM subcomplexes with differential binding to chromatin in Xenopus

MCM proteins are molecular components of the DNA replication licensing system in Xenopus. These proteins comprise a conserved family made up of six distinct members which have been found to associate in large protein complexes. We have used a combination of biochemical and cytological methods to study the association of soluble and chromatin-bound Xenopus MCM proteins during the cell cycle. In interphase, soluble MCM proteins are found organized in a core salt-resistant subcomplex that includes MCM subunits which are known to have high affinity for histones. The interphasic complex is modified at mitosis and the subunit composition of the resulting mitotic subcomplexes is distinct, indicating that the stability of the MCM complex is under cell cycle control. Moreover, we provide evidence that the binding of MCM proteins to chromatin may occur in sequential steps involving the loading of distinct MCM subunits. Comparative analysis of the chromatin distribution of MCM2, 3, and 4 shows that the binding of MCM4 is distinct from that of MCM2 and 3. Altogether, these data suggest that licensing of chromatin by MCMs occurs in an ordered fashion involving discrete subcomplexes.

Ser727-dependent recruitment of MCM5 by Stat1alpha in IFN-gamma-induced transcriptional activation

Stat1alpha is a latent cytoplasmic transcription factor activated in response to interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The C-terminal 38 amino acids of Stat1alpha are required to trigger transcription and therefore may possibly serve as a transcription activation domain (TAD). Here we show that the C-terminus of Stat1alpha is an independent TAD which can interact with a specific group of nuclear proteins. Mutation of the Stat1 Ser727 and Leu724 decreases its transcriptional activity and affinity for the nuclear proteins. One of the interacting proteins was identified as MCM5, a member of the mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) family involved in DNA replication. Both in vitro and in vivo interaction of Stat1alpha and MCM5 were demonstrated. Furthermore, the in vitro interaction required Ser727 and was enhanced by its phosphorylation. Transient over-expression of MCM5 enhanced transcriptional activation by Stat1alpha in a Ser727-dependent manner. Finally, changes in the level of nuclear localized MCM5 during the cell cycle correlated with the changes in transcriptional response to IFN-gamma acting through Stat1alpha. These results strongly suggest that MCM5 is recruited through interaction with Stat1alpha in a Ser727- and Leu724-dependent manner to play a role in optimal transcriptional activation.

cDNA cloning and expression during development of Drosophila melanogaster MCM3, MCM6 and MCM7

cDNAs encoding three Drosophila melanogaster MCM proteins, DmMCM3, DmMCM6 and DmMCM7, candidates of DNA replication-licensing factors, were cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino-acid sequences displayed 60, 59 and 68% identities with the respective Xenopus laevis homologues, XMCM3, XMCM6 and XMCM7. Six members of the D. melanogaster MCM family were found to share 31-36% identities in their amino-acid sequences, and to possess the five common domains carrying conserved amino-acid sequences as reported with X. laevis MCM proteins. DmMCM3, DmMCM6 and DmMCM7 genes were mapped to the 4F region on the X chromosome, the 6B region on the X chromosome and the 66E region on the third chromosome, respectively, by in situ hybridization. Contents of their mRNAs were proved to be high in unfertilized eggs and early embryos (0-4h after fertilization), then decrease gradually by the 12h time point, with only low levels detected at later stages of development except in adult females. This fluctuation pattern is similar to those of genes for proteins involved in DNA replication, such as DNA polymerase alpha and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, suggesting that expression of DmMCM genes is under the regulatory mechanism which regulates expression of other genes involved in DNA replication.

Cell cycle- and chromatin binding state-dependent phosphorylation of human MCM heterohexameric complexes. A role for cdc2 kinase

The mammalian MCM protein family, presently with six members, exists in the nuclei in two forms, chromatin-bound and unbound. The former dissociates from chromatin with progression through the S phase. Recently, we have established a procedure to isolate chromatin-bound and unbound complexes containing all six human MCM (hMCM) proteins by immunoprecipitation. In the present study, we applied this procedure to HeLa cells synchronized in each of the G1, S, and G2/M phases and could detect hMCM heterohexameric complexes in all three. In addition, depending on the cell cycle and the state of chromatin association, hMCM2 and 4 in the complexes were found to variously change their phosphorylation states. Concentrating attention on G2/M phase hyperphosphorylation, we found hMCM2 and 4 in the complexes to be good substrates for cdc2/cyclin B in vitro. Furthermore, when cdc2 kinase was inactivated in temperature-sensitive mutant murine FT210 cells, the G2/M hyperphosphorylation of the murine MCM2 and MCM4 and release of the MCMs from chromatin in the G2 phase were severely impaired. Taken together, the data suggest that the six mammalian MCM proteins function and undergo cell cycle-dependent regulation as heterohexameric complexes and that phosphorylation of the complexes by cdc2 kinase may be one of mechanisms negatively regulating the MCM complex-chromatin association.

Human CDC6/Cdc18 associates with Orc1 and cyclin-cdk and is selectively eliminated from the nucleus at the onset of S phase

In a two-hybrid screen for proteins that interact with human PCNA, we identified and cloned a human protein (hCdc18) homologous to yeast CDC6/Cdc18 and human Orc1. Unlike yeast, in which the rapid and total destruction of CDC6/Cdc18 protein in S phase is a central feature of DNA replication, the total level of the human protein is unchanged throughout the cell cycle. Epitope-tagged protein is nuclear in G1 and cytoplasmic in S-phase cells, suggesting that DNA replication may be regulated by either the translocation of this protein between the nucleus and the cytoplasm or the selective degradation of the protein in the nucleus. Mutation of the only nuclear localization signal of this protein does not alter its nuclear localization, implying that the protein is translocated to the nucleus through its association with other nuclear proteins. Rapid elimination of the nuclear pool of this protein after the onset of DNA replication and its association with human Orc1 protein and cyclin-cdks supports its identification as human CDC6/Cdc18 protein.

DNA replication licensing factor

DNA Replication Licensing Factor (RLF) is an essential activity required to restrict the duplication of genomic DNA to precisely once per cell cycle. Recent fractionation of RLF activity from Xenopus egg extracts has resulted in the identification of two essential components, RLF-B and RLF-M. RLF-M has been purified to homogeneity and has been shown to consist of a complex of proteins in the MCM/P1 family. RLF-B is still unidentified, but possible candidates for this activity have been identified in yeast. Elucidation of the RLF mechanism will provide important insights into the way that chromosome replication is controlled.

Biochemical function of mouse minichromosome maintenance 2 protein

Minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins play an essential role in eukaryotic DNA replication and bind to chromatin before the initiation of DNA replication. We reported that MCM protein complexes consisting of MCM2, -4, -6, and -7 bind strongly to a histone-Sepharose column (Ishimi, Y., Ichinose, S., Omori, A., Sato, K., and Kimura, H. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 24115-24122). Here, we have analyzed this interaction at the molecular level. We found that among six mouse MCM proteins, only MCM2 binds to histone; amino acid residues 63-153 are responsible for this binding. The region required for nuclear localization of MCM2 was mapped near this histone-binding domain. Far-Western blotting analysis of truncated forms of H3 histone indicated that amino acid residues 26-67 of H3 histone are required for binding to MCM2. We have also shown that mouse MCM2 can inhibit the DNA helicase activity of the human MCM4, -6, and -7 protein complex. These results suggest that MCM2 plays a different role in the initiation of DNA replication than the other MCM proteins.

Initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells

The recent identification of proteins that recognize origins of DNA replication and control the initiation of eukaryotic DNA replication has provided critical molecular tools to dissect this process. Dynamic changes in the assembly and disassembly of protein complexes at origins are important for the initiation of DNA replication and occur throughout the cell cycle. Herein, we review the key proteins required for the initiation of DNA replication, their involvement in the protein complex assembly at replication origins, and how the cell cycle machinery regulates this process.

Protein kinase inhibition in G2 causes mammalian Mcm proteins to reassociate with chromatin and restores ability to replicate

Intact nuclei from G2-phase mammalian cells will replicate their DNA in Xenopus egg extract if they are preexposed to the protein kinase inhibitor 6-dimethylaminopurine in vivo (Coverley et al., Exp. Cell Res. 225, 294-300, 1996). Here, we demonstrate that this competence to rereplicate is accompanied by alterations in the subcellular distribution of the Mcm family of proteins, which are implicated in replication licensing (Hennessy et al., Genes Dev. 4, 2252-2263, 1990; Kubota et al., Cell 81, 601-609, 1995; and Chong et al., Nature 375, 418-421, 1995). All family members reassociate with chromatin in G2 cells and this correlates closely with regeneration of replication competence. Moreover, newly bound Mcm proteins are functional for replication because, unlike untreated G2 nuclei, replication of treated G2 nuclei in vitro occurs independent of the Xenopus Mcm protein complex. These observations show that the postreplicative state is actively maintained in G2 cells by a protein kinase(s) which regulates the behavior of Mcm family proteins.

Persistent initiation of DNA replication and chromatin-bound MCM proteins during the cell cycle in cdc6 mutants

Faithful inheritance of genetic information requires that DNA be copied only once each cell cycle. Initiation of DNA replication involves the establishment of a prereplication complex (pre-RC) and subsequent activation by CDK/cyclins, converting the pre-RC to a post-RC. The origin recognition complex (ORC), Cdc6p, and the MCM proteins are required for establishing the pre-RC. We show that all six ORC subunits remain bound to chromatin throughout the cell cycle, whereas the MCM proteins cycle on and off, corresponding precisely to transitions of the RC. A newly isolated cdc6 mutant displays promiscuous initiation of DNA replication, increased nuclear DNA content, and constant MCM protein association with chromatin throughout the cell cycle. This gain-of-function cdc6 mutant ignores the negative controls imposed normally on initiation by the CDK/cyclins, suggesting that Cdc6p is a key mediator of once-per-cell-cycle control of DNA replication.

Characterization of Cdc47p-minichromosome maintenance complexes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: identification of Cdc45p as a subunit

Cdc47p is a member of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) family of polypeptides, which have a role in the early stages of chromosomal DNA replication. Here, we show that Cdc47p assembles into stable complexes with two other members of the MCM family, Cdc46p and Mcm3p. The assembly of Cdc47p into complexes with Cdc46p does not appear to be cell cycle regulated, making it unlikely that these interactions per se are a rate-limiting step in the control of S phase. Cdc45p is also shown to interact with Cdc47p in vivo and to be a component of high-molecular-weight MCM complexes in cell lysates. Like MCM polypeptides, Cdc45p is essential for the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; however, Cdc45p remains in the nucleus throughout the cell cycle, whereas MCMs are nuclear only during G1. We characterize two mutations in CDC47 and CDC46 which arrest cells with unduplicated DNA as a result of single base substitutions. The corresponding amino acid substitutions in Cdc46p and Cdc47p severely reduce the ability of these polypeptides to assemble in a complex with each other in vivo and in vitro. This argues that assembly of Cdc47p into complexes with other MCM polypeptides is important for its role in the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication.

A DNA helicase activity is associated with an MCM4, -6, and -7 protein complex

All six minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins have DNA-dependent ATPase motifs in the central domain which is conserved from yeast to mammals. Our group purified MCM protein complexes consisting of MCM2, -4 (Cdc21), -6 (Mis5), and -7 (CDC47) proteins from HeLa cells by using histone-Sepharose column chromatography (Ishimi, Y., Ichinose, S., Omori, A., Sato K., and Kimura, H. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 24115-24122). The present study revealed that both ATPase activity and DNA helicase activity that displaces oligonucleotides annealed to single-stranded circular DNA are associated with an MCM protein complex. Both ATPase and DNA helicase activities were co-purified with a 600-kDa protein complex that is consisted of equal amounts of MCM4, -6, and -7 proteins. An immunodepletion of the MCM protein complex from the purified fraction using anti-MCM4 antibody resulted in the severe reduction of the DNA helicase activity. Displacement of DNA fragments by the DNA helicase suggested that it migrated along single-stranded DNA in the 3' to 5' direction, and the DNA helicase activity was detected only in the presence of hydrolyzable ATP or dATP. These results suggest that this helicase may be involved in the initiation of DNA replication as a DNA unwinding enzyme.

Human and Xenopus cDNAs encoding budding yeast Cdc7-related kinases: in vitro phosphorylation of MCM subunits by a putative human homologue of Cdc7

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc7 kinase is essential for initiation of DNA replication, and Hsk1, a related kinase of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, is also required for DNA replication of fission yeast cells. We report here cDNAs encoding Cdc7-related kinases from human and Xenopus (huCdc7 and xeCdc7, respectively). The cloned cDNA for huCdc7 contains an open reading frame consisting of 574 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 63,847 that possesses overall amino acid identity of 32% (54% including similar residues) to Cdc7 and Hsk1. huCDC7 is transcribed in the various tissues examined, but most abundantly in testis. Three transcripts of 4.4, 3.5 and 2.4 kb in length are detected. The 3.5 kb transcript is the most predominant and is expressed in all the tissues examined. A cDNA containing a 91 nucleotide insertion at the N-terminal region of huCDC7 is also detected, suggesting the presence of multiple splicing variants. The huCdc7 protein is expressed at a constant level during the mitotic cell cycle and is localized primarily in nuclei in interphase and distributed diffusibly in cytoplasm in the mitotic phase. The wild-type huCdc7 protein expressed in COS7 cells phosphorylates MCM2 and MCM3 proteins in vitro, suggesting that huCdc7 may regulate processes of DNA replication by modulating MCM functions.

Immunolocalization of hCDC47 protein in normal and neoplastic human tissues and its relation to growth

hCDC47 is a human member of the MCM family, which has been implicated in the regulatory machinery causing DNA to replicate once per cell cycle. We examined its protein expression and localization in normal human tissues, using immunostaining with polyclonal antibodies. Positive nuclei were found in the proliferative components of lymph nodes, bone marrow, epidermis and mucosa. Immunohistochemical analysis was also performed for 3 types of cutaneous keratinocytic tumor originating from same cell type but showing different grades of malignancy. In seborrheic keratosis, a benign condition, cells with hCDC47-positive nuclei were located in the outermost layers of the tumor lobules, while in Bowen's disease, carcinomas in situ and squamous-cell carcinomas, they were present throughout the lesions. The percentages of hCDC47-positive cells were 65.4% in squamous-cell carcinomas, 60.9% in Bowen's disease, 12.6% in seborrheic keratosis and 3.9% in normal epidermis (n = 5 in all cases). Further expansion of the analysis to include malignant tumors from several other organs revealed that all malignant lesions tested contained more nuclear hCDC47-positive cells than their normal counterparts. Our findings indicate that hCDC47 plays a role in normal and neoplastic cell growth in vivo and that hCDC47 immunolocalization could be used as an index of cell proliferation in tissue sections.

In vivo interaction of human MCM heterohexameric complexes with chromatin. Possible involvement of ATP

The MCM protein family, which consists of at least six members, has been implicated in the regulatory machinery causing DNA to replicate once in the S phase. Mammalian MCM proteins are present in the nucleus in two different forms, one extractable by nonionic detergents and the other resistant to such extraction. The latter is assumed to be tightly associated with nuclear structures and released at the time of initiation of replication. However, details of the mode of binding remain unclear. In the present study, we found that, in nonionic detergent-permeabilized nuclei, the association of human MCM (hMCM) proteins with them could be stabilized by the addition of ATP. The hMCMs bound to the nuclei in the presence of ATP were released by digestion with nucleases, suggesting that they are chromatin-associated. The nuclease-directed solubilization of the chromatin-bound hMCMs thus provided a means to analyze them as well as soluble hMCMs by co-immunoprecipitation. The results indicate that the six hMCM members exist as heterocomplexes, whether bound or unbound. We therefore propose that hMCM proteins may function in DNA replication as heterohexamers associated with chromatin and that ATP is possibly involved in the association. Nuclease digestion-immunoprecipitation techniques of the type described here should facilitate further elucidation of the mode of interaction between hMCMs and chromatin.

Chromatin proteins involved in the initiation of DNA replication

Eukaryotic DNA replication is regulated at least in part by the assembly of initiation proteins onto origins of replication. The origin recognition complex (ORC) is bound to origins throughout most of the cell cycle. Other initiation proteins, such as Cdc6 and the MCM/P1 proteins, are assembled onto ORC-containing chromatin during G1 to define a prereplicative complex. During S phase, these proteins are displaced from chromatin and their reassembly is inhibited by protein-dependent kinases.

Cell cycle control of replication initiation in eukaryotes

Studies on the initiation of DNA replication in eukaryotes have progressed recently through different approaches that promise to converge. Proteins interacting with the origin recognition complex form a prereplicative complex early in the cell cycle. The regulation of the binding of MCM/P1 proteins to chromatin plays a key role in the replication licensing system which prevents re-replication in a single cell cycle. Cyclin-dependent kinases provide an overall control of the cell cycle by stimulating S-phase entry and possibly by preventing re-establishment of prereplicative complexes in G2 phase.

Cdc45p assembles into a complex with Cdc46p/Mcm5p, is required for minichromosome maintenance, and is essential for chromosomal DNA replication

We report the isolation and characterization of CDC45, which encodes a polypeptide of 650 amino acids that is essential for the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication in the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. CDC45 genetically interacts with at least two members of the MCM (minichromosome maintenance) family of replication genes, CDC46 and CDC47, which are proposed to perform a role in restricting initiation of DNA replication to once per cell cycle. Like mutants in several MCM genes, alleles of CDC45 also show a severe minichromosome maintenance defect. Together, these observations imply that Cdc45p performs a role in the control of initiation events at chromosomal replication origins. We investigated this possibility further and present evidence demonstrating that Cdc45p is assembled into complexes with one MCM family member, Cdc46p/Mcm5p. These observations point to a role for Cdc45p in controlling the early steps of chromosomal DNA replication in conjunction with MCM polypeptide complexes. Unlike the MCMs, however, the subcellular localization of Cdc45p does not vary with the cell cycle, making it likely that Cdc45p interacts with MCMs only during the nuclear phase of MCM localization in G1.