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Characterization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe mcm7(+) and cdc23(+) (MCM10) and interactions with replication

D T Liang1, S L Forsburg

  • 1Department of Biology, University of California, San Diego, 92093, USA.

Genetics
|October 19, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Fission yeast Mcm7 protein is essential for DNA replication and viability. Mutations in Mcm7 cause cell cycle delays and synthetic lethality with DNA repair mutants, indicating chromosomal instability.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins are crucial for regulating DNA replication.
  • Fission yeast mcm7(+) is essential for cell viability and proper S phase progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of fission yeast Mcm7 protein in DNA replication.
  • To characterize the genetic interactions of mcm7 with other MCM proteins and cell cycle regulators.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of fission yeast mcm7(+).
  • Isolation and characterization of temperature-sensitive alleles (mcm7-98, cdc23ts).
  • Synthetic lethality and genetic interaction studies.
  • Analysis of cell cycle progression, DNA content, and chromosomal integrity.
  • Subcellular localization studies of Mcm7p.

Main Results:

  • Loss of mcm7(+) leads to delayed S phase and cell cycle arrest.
  • The mcm7-98 allele causes S phase delay, chromosome damage, and synthetic lethality with other mcm mutants.
  • mcm7-98 exhibits synthetic lethality with checkpoint mutants (Deltacds1, Deltachk1, Deltarad3), suggesting pre-existing chromosomal defects.
  • Mcm7p localizes to the nucleus and its localization depends on other MCM proteins.
  • Evidence suggests an interaction between the Mcm3p-Mcm5p dimer and the Mcm4p-Mcm6p-Mcm7p core complex via Mcm7p.

Conclusions:

  • Fission yeast Mcm7 is essential for DNA replication and viability.
  • Mcm7 plays a critical role in maintaining chromosomal stability, even at permissive temperatures.
  • Mcm7 functions within a larger MCM complex, with specific interactions involving Mcm3p, Mcm5p, Mcm4p, and Mcm6p.

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