Background：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 hexametric 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 7 proteins possesses DNA helicase activity, and may act as a DNA unwinding enzyme. The phosphorylation of the complex by CDC2 kinase reduces the helicase activity, suggesting a role in the regulation of DNA replication.
