Cryo-EM structure of DNA-unbound human MCM2–7 complex reveals new disease-relevant regulation

Chromatin loading of the hexameric replicative helicase MCM2–7 complex requires coordinated interactions with the origin recognition complex (ORC), CDC6, and CDT1. MCM2–7 not bound to DNA forms a single hexamer (SH) with an open DNA entry gate. Two MCM2–7 SHs are loaded sequentially to form the double hexamer (DH) that encircles the DNA duplex. Activated MCM2–7 then unwinds DNA and initiates DNA replication. Our cryo-electron microscopy analyses show that a fraction of human MCM2–7 without DNA exists as DH. Unexpectedly, we find that the MCM3 winged helix domain (WHD) docks on MCM2 in both DNA-free DH and SH, creating a safety latch across the DNA entry gate to block DNA entry into the central channel. The safety latch can be opened by ORC-CDC6 binding. Disrupting this latch by designed or human disease-related mutations of MCM3 causes replication defects and DNA damage checkpoint activation. Our findings uncover a new regulated step in MCM2–7 loading with implications for human diseases.