Acts as a component of the MCM2-7 complex (MCM complex) which is the replicative helicase essential for 'once per cell cycle' DNA replication initiation and elongation in eukaryotic cells. Core component of CDC45-MCM-GINS (CMG) helicase, the molecular machine that unwinds template DNA during replication, and around which the replisome is built (PubMed:25661590, PubMed:32453425, PubMed:34694004, PubMed:34700328, PubMed:35585232, PubMed:9305914). The active ATPase sites in the MCM2-7 ring are formed through the interaction surfaces of two neighboring subunits such that a critical structure of a conserved arginine finger motif is provided in trans relative to the ATP-binding site of the Walker A box of the adjacent subunit. The six ATPase active sites, however, are likely to contribute differentially to the complex helicase activity (PubMed:32453425). Required for S-phase checkpoint activation upon UV-induced damage. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:15210935, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15538388, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25661590, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32453425, ECO:0000269|PubMed:34694004, ECO:0000269|PubMed:34700328, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35585232, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9305914}. This is the function of MCM7 (minichromosome maintenance complex component 7, ENSG00000166508).