DNA replication licensing proteins: Saints and sinners in cancer

Pictorial abstract: DNA replication is initiated and regulated by DNA replication licensing complex which includes ORC, CDC6, Cdt1 and MCM2–7 complex. A significantly higher expression of this DNA replication LC is observed in a number of cancer types which leads to uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells and decreased response to anti-tumor drugs. On the contrary, lower expression of this DNA replication LC has been found to be positively correlated with increased anti-tumor drug response and reduces the cancer cell proliferation. This dual attribute of DNA replication LC proteins make them saints as well as sinners in cancer.