Essential role of MCM proteins in premeiotic DNA replication

Journal article

A critical event in eukaryotic DNA replication involves association of minichromosome maintenance (MCM2-7) proteins with origins, to form prereplicative complexes (pre-RCa) that are competent for initiation. The ability of mutants defective in MCM2-7 function to complete meiosis had suggested that pre-RC components could be irrelevant to premeiotic S phase. We show here that MCM2-7 proteins bind to chromatin in fission yeast cells preparing for meiosis and during premeiotic S phase in a manner suggesting they in fact are required for DNA replication in the meiotic cycle. This is confirmed by analysis of a degron mcm4 mutant, which cannot carry out premeiotic DNA replication. Later in meiosis, Mcm4 chromatin association is blocked between meiotic nuclear divisions, presumably accounting for the absense of a second round of DNA replication. Together, these results emphasize similarity between mechanisms in mitotic and meiotic cell cycles.

Authors: Lindner, K; Gregán, J; Montgomery, S; Kearsey, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Society for Cell Biology
• Journal: Molecular Biology of the Cell
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 435-444
• Publication date: 2002-02-01
• Edition: Publisher's version
• ISSN: 1059-1524
• Language: English
• Keywords: prereplicative complex; MCM proteins; S phase; DNA replication; meiosis
• Subjects: Zoological sciences