6.7 : DNA Helicases

DNA unwinding helicase enzymes are a type of motor protein. Motor proteins can translocate along filaments or polymers using energy generated from ATP hydrolysis. Helicases are involved in all the important cellular processes where DNA unwinding is required, such as DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. They are present in all living organisms, but vary in their structure, function, and mechanism of action. For example, in prokaryotes, DnaB helicase binds and translocates along the lagging strand template in the 5' to 3' direction. In eukaryotes, the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) protein complex is a DNA helicase that binds and translocates along the leading strand template in the 3' to 5' direction.

Helicases as Therapeutic Targets

Being an indispensable component of the DNA replication machinery, helicase is emerging as a new target for the development of drugs against bacterial and viral infections and for cancer treatment. Cancer cells are characterized by rapid proliferation, which demands a high DNA replication rate and a corresponding increase in the production of MCM helicase. Thus, inhibition or depletion of MCM helicase by the right drugs could suppress the rapid growth of cancer cells.