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The mini-chromosome Maintenance (MCM) proteins belongs to the AAA+ superfamily and plays pivotal role in DNA replication and genome stability across eukaryotic organisms. Like other eukaryotic MCMs, plant MCM helicases also form hexameric ring structure composed of six subunits containing MCM 2-7. Despite its significant importance, comparative studies of the MCM family in crop species remain limited. Therefore, this study planned to report the genome-wide analysis of MCM protein family in Setaria italica (foxtail millet) and Triticum aestivum (wheat), two agriculturally significant species.

Using in silico approaches, we identified the MCM gene family members in the both genomes, and analysed their phylogenetic relationships, conserved motifs, gene structures, and chromosomal localizations, protein-protein interaction and physiochemical properties. Genome-wide collation resulted in the identification of 9SiMCM and 23TaMCM proteins in S. italica and T. aestivum, respectively. The multiple sequence alignment revealed the conservation of MCM motifs in S. italica but five proteins in T. aestivum contains incomplete MCM motifs.

The protein length of MCMs varied from 417-958 and 66-956aas in S. italica and T. aestivum respectively. GRAVY value analysis of SiMCMs and TaMCMs showed that all the proteins were found to be hydrophilic in nature, except one TaMCM. Further, phylogenetic tree of SiMCMs and TaMCMs were clustered as per their subfamilies.

Comparative protein-protein interactions revealed that MCM interact with different proteins involved in DNA unwinding and replication process. The present study provides the detailed insight into SiMCMs and TaMCMs protein family which may be further exploited for genetic engineering/genome editing studies for crop improvement and stress resilience.

Keyword: Genome wide analysis, MCM family, Mini-chromosome Maintenance proteins, Setaria italica, Triticum aestivum