MCM4

MCM4

A gene on chromosome 8q12-q13 that encodes one of the highly conserved mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins that are involved in initiating eukaryotic genome replication. The hexameric protein complex formed by MCM2-7 is a key component of the pre-replication complex, and may be involved in forming replication forks and in recruiting other DNA replication related proteins; it is required for the entry in S phase and for cell division. The sub-complex formed by MCM2, MCM4, MCM6 and MCM7 regulates the complex’s helicase activity. MCM4 phosphorylation by CDC2 kinase reduces the helicase activity and chromatin binding of the MCM complex.