MCM5: Proteins and Enzymes

MCM5 (Mini Chromosome Maintenance protein-5) is involved in the control of DNA replication. MCM proteins have DNA dependent ATPase motifs in their central domain which is conserved from yeast to mammals. MCM proteins form a complex which exhibits ATPase and helicase activities. In G0 phase levels of MCM 2 and 5 are lower than that of MCM7 and 3 but increase as the cell enters G1/S phase of the cell cycle. It has been reported that immunocytochemical assessment of Mcm5 expression may be of value in improving the accuracy of cervical smear testing for the detection of malignancy.