Minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 (MCM5)

Minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 (MCM5) is a core subunit of the MCM2-7 complex, the eukaryotic replicative helicase essential for unwinding double-stranded DNA during S phase, thereby enabling DNA replication[4][1][7]. MCM5 is critically required for replication licensing, ensuring that the genome is duplicated once per cell cycle[2][5]. It participates in complex cell cycle regulation, and its dysregulation is linked to genomic instability and several types of carcinoma[4]. Beyond its well-established role in DNA replication, MCM5 also interacts with transcription factors such as Stat1 and is recruited to gene promoters in response to cellular signals, contributing to transcriptional regulation, particularly in response to cytokines[6]. Overexpression of MCM5 is common in proliferative disorders including cancer, where it may serve as a biomarker. No approved drugs selectively target MCM5, but experimental inhibitors of MCM complex function are under investigation for antiproliferative therapies. Because of its essential roles in genome duplication and cell division, direct inhibition poses toxicity risks to normal proliferative tissues.

Other names

DNA replication licensing factor MCM5CDC46CDC46 homologP1-CDC46MGORS8minichromosome maintenance deficient 5cell division cycle 46

Inhibition of DNA helicase activity, Modulation of replication licensing, Impairment of cell cycle progression