Human ORC6 comprises three distinct domains (Figure 1):
N-terminal domain (HsOrc6-N): Involved in protein-protein interactions.
Middle domain (HsOrc6-M): Shares structural homology with transcription factor TFIIB, enabling DNA binding .
C-terminal domain (HsOrc6-C): Critical for interactions with ORC3 and chromatin association .
A distinct DNA-binding domain (HsOrc6-DBD) has been identified, with key residues (Q129, R137, K168) essential for DNA interaction . Mutations in these residues abolish DNA binding and reduce replication efficiency .
In vitro studies show ORC6 knockout in liver (HepG2, HCCLM3) and glioma cells reduces proliferation by 40–60% and inhibits migration .
Mutations in ORC6 (e.g., Tyr232Ser) disrupt ORC3 binding, impairing pre-RC assembly and causing primordial dwarfism .
Targeting ORC6 may offer novel strategies for cancer treatment:
The ORC complex, including ORC6, binds specifically to origins of replication and serves as a platform for the assembly of additional initiation factors such as Cdc6 and Mcm proteins . This assembly is vital for the formation of the pre-replicative complex, which ensures that DNA replication occurs accurately and efficiently .
During mitosis, ORC6 localizes to kinetochores and a reticular-like structure around the cell periphery . It has been shown to interact with several other proteins involved in DNA replication and cell division, including MCM5, ORC2, Replication protein A1, ORC4, DBF4, ORC3, CDC45-related protein, and MCM4 .
Human recombinant ORC6 is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the ORC6 gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. This recombinant protein is used in various research applications to study its function and interactions in DNA replication and cell division.