The kinase CDC7 is essential for replication initiation in eukaryote organisms. To exert its function, CDC7 requires its activator, DBF4. Now the crystal structures of a minimal CDC7–DBF4 complex, with bound nucleotide or inhibitor, along with functional analyses reveal that DBF4 wraps around CDC7, stabilizing the αC helix in the N lobe and tethering the C lobe of the kinase.
- Siobhan Hughes
- Frédéric Elustondo
- Peter Cherepanov