MCM2 — Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Summary

BoMCM2, the cauliflower orthologue of the MCM2 gene on chromosome 8, encodes a minichromosome maintenance protein that is a component of the MCM complex and possesses ssDNA-dependent ATPase, 3'-5' DNA helicase, and DNA replication origin binding activities. The gene is associated with cell cycle DNA replication, mitotic DNA replication initiation, DNA replication elongation, double-strand break repair via break-induced replication, and regulation of cell population proliferation. It is associated with root development, regulation of root meristem size, and embryo development ending in seed dormancy. The encoded protein localises to the nucleus, chromatin, the MCM complex, and the THO complex. BoMCM2 is linked to leaf chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and salt tolerance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to viral DNA replication, root meristem function, and endoreduplication.