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Identification of Cdc45p, an essential factor required for DNA replication
1Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. chardy@cellbio.wustl.edu
Gene
|March 18, 1997
Summary
CDC45 is essential for DNA replication initiation in yeast. This gene interacts with replication proteins and shows cell cycle regulation, impacting DNA replication and plasmid stability.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CDC45 is crucial for initiating DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- It interacts with MCM family genes (CDC46, CDC47) involved in DNA replication licensing.
- CDC45 also shows genetic interactions with ORC2 and MCM3.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the essential gene CDC45.
- To investigate the cell cycle regulation and functional interactions of CDC45.
- To understand the role of CDC45 in DNA replication and plasmid maintenance.
Main Methods:
- Gene isolation and characterization.
- Genetic interaction studies.
- Cell cycle analysis of mRNA levels.
- Plasmid maintenance assays with cdc45-1 mutant.
Main Results:
- CDC45 was isolated and mapped to chromosome XII.
- CDC45 gene expression is cell cycle regulated, with G1/S-specific mRNA levels.
- CDC45 protein is structurally related to Ustilago maydis Tsd2p.
- The cdc45-1 mutant exhibits plasmid maintenance defects rescued by increased origin copy number.
Conclusions:
- CDC45 is a cell cycle-regulated gene essential for DNA replication initiation.
- Its interactions with MCM and ORC proteins highlight its central role in replication licensing and origin firing.
- CDC45 is critical for stable plasmid maintenance, likely by influencing origin recognition or activation.