The protein encoded by this gene is one of the highly conserved mini-chromosome maintenance proteins (MCM) that are essential for the initiation of eukaryotic genome replication. The hexameric protein complex formed by the MCM proteins is a key component of the pre-replication complex (pre_RC) and may be involved in the formation of replication forks and in the recruitment of other DNA replication related proteins. The MCM complex consisting of this protein and MCM2, 4 and 6 proteins possesses DNA helicase activity, and may act as a DNA unwinding enzyme. Cyclin D1-dependent kinase, CDK4, is found to associate with this protein, and may regulate the binding of this protein with the tumorsuppressor protein RB1/RB. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008],function:Acts as a factor that allows the DNA to undergo a single round of replication per cell cycle. Required for DNA replication and cell proliferation. Required for S-phase checkpoint activation upon UV-induced damage.,PTM:Phosphorylated upon DNA damage, probably by ATM or ATR.,similarity:Belongs to the MCM family.,similarity:Contains 1 MCM domain.,subunit:Interacts with the ATR-ATRIP complex and with RAD17. Interacts with TIPIN.,
