MORC2

gene
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Also known as ZCW3KIAA0852AC004542.C22.1

Summary

MORC2 (MORC family CW-type zinc finger 2, HGNC:23573) is a protein-coding gene on chromosome 22q12.2, encoding ATPase MORC2 (Q9Y6X9). ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler essential for epigenetic silencing by the HUSH (human silencing hub) complex.

This gene encodes a member of the Microrchidia (MORC) protein superfamily. The encoded protein is known to regulate the condensation of heterochromatin in response to DNA damage and play a role in repressing transcription. The protein has been found to regulate the activity of ATP citrate lyase via specific interaction with this enzyme in the cytosol of lipogenic breast cancer cells. The protein also plays a role in lipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms.

Source: NCBI Gene 22880 — RefSeq curated summary.

At a glance

  • Gene–disease (curated): Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2Z (Definitive, ClinGen) — +2 more curated relationships
  • Clinical variants (ClinVar): 1,059 total — 10 pathogenic, 17 likely-pathogenic
  • Phenotypes (HPO): 108
  • MANE Select transcript: NM_001303256

Identifiers

Gene identifiers

FieldValue
HGNC IDHGNC:23573
Approved symbolMORC2
NameMORC family CW-type zinc finger 2
Location22q12.2
Locus typegene with protein product
StatusApproved
AliasesZCW3, KIAA0852, AC004542.C22.1
Ensembl geneENSG00000133422
Ensembl biotypeprotein_coding
OMIM616661
Entrez22880

Gene structure

Transcript identifiers

Ensembl transcripts: 24 — 10 protein_coding, 9 retained_intron, 3 protein_coding_CDS_not_defined, 2 nonsense_mediated_decay

ENST00000215862, ENST00000397641, ENST00000429468, ENST00000445980, ENST00000469915, ENST00000476152, ENST00000674576, ENST00000674585, ENST00000675027, ENST00000675317, ENST00000675402, ENST00000675570, ENST00000675601, ENST00000675779, ENST00000675798, ENST00000676215, ENST00000676263, ENST00000852352, ENST00000924801, ENST00000924802, ENST00000924803, ENST00000924804, ENST00000924805, ENST00000959363

RefSeq mRNA: 3 — MANE Select: NM_001303256 NM_001303256, NM_001303257, NM_014941

CCDS: CCDS33636, CCDS77668

Canonical transcript exons

ENST00000397641 — 26 exons

ExonStartEnd
ENSE000006526963093235930932452
ENSE000006527133093254530932769
ENSE000006527243093288930933030
ENSE000006527373093346630933520
ENSE000006527513093406030934191
ENSE000006527643093478130935161
ENSE000006527873093524830935322
ENSE000006527953093651130936643
ENSE000006527993093693230937037
ENSE000006528063093758330937711
ENSE000006528143093781530937969
ENSE000006528223093806530938205
ENSE000006528303093962130939706
ENSE000006528333093995930940041
ENSE000008798393092513030926871
ENSE000011688943092801930928207
ENSE000015295643096782230968774
ENSE000034972583095676330956797
ENSE000035142913094075830940837
ENSE000035640863095037730950445
ENSE000035926373094634130946449
ENSE000035964163094189130942002
ENSE000035987503094211230942271
ENSE000036299223094975230949842
ENSE000036501583095864130958694
ENSE000036867423094143330941558

Expression profiles

Bgee: expression breadth ubiquitous, 292 present calls, max score 96.40.

FANTOM5 (CAGE): breadth ubiquitous, TPM avg 10.3476 / max 87.3367, expressed in 1756 samples.

FANTOM5 promoters (4 alternative TSS)

Promoter IDTPM avgSamples expressed
1936639.45801752
1936610.714773
1936620.136634
2094510.038329

Top tissues by expression

299 total, by Bgee expression score (0-100, higher = more expressed):

TissueAnatomy IDExpression scoreQuality
cervix squamous epitheliumUBERON:000692296.40gold quality
spermCL:000001996.23gold quality
male germ cellCL:000001595.59gold quality
left testisUBERON:000453395.17gold quality
right testisUBERON:000453495.11gold quality
ganglionic eminenceUBERON:000402393.68gold quality
testisUBERON:000047393.38gold quality
cortical plateUBERON:000534392.99gold quality
endothelial cellCL:000011592.92gold quality
stromal cell of endometriumCL:000225592.86gold quality
embryoUBERON:000092292.74gold quality
saphenous veinUBERON:000731892.31gold quality
ventricular zoneUBERON:000305392.27gold quality
male germ line stem cell (sensu Vertebrata) in testisCL:0000089 ∩ UBERON:000047391.28gold quality
mucosa of stomachUBERON:000119991.12gold quality
amniotic fluidUBERON:000017390.91gold quality
adult organismUBERON:000702390.87gold quality
visceral pleuraUBERON:000240190.81gold quality
popliteal arteryUBERON:000225090.36gold quality
tibial arteryUBERON:000761090.35gold quality
apex of heartUBERON:000209890.16gold quality
pylorusUBERON:000116690.15gold quality
gingival epitheliumUBERON:000194990.14gold quality
aortaUBERON:000094790.09gold quality
sural nerveUBERON:001548890.04gold quality
lower esophagus muscularis layerUBERON:003583390.03gold quality
right lobe of liverUBERON:000111490.01gold quality
lower esophagusUBERON:001347390.01gold quality
lower esophagus mucosaUBERON:003583489.93gold quality
granulocyteCL:000009489.86gold quality

Single-cell (SCXA)

Detected in 3 experiment(s), a significant marker in 0.

ExperimentMarker?Max mean expression
E-CURD-135no815.25
E-MTAB-6379no356.28
E-ANND-3no4.11

Regulation

Is transcription factor: no

miRNA regulators (miRDB)

70 targeting MORC2, top 30 by miRDB confidence (max_score; target_count = how many genes the miRNA targets in total — lower means more specific):

miRNAMax scoreAvg scoremiRNA target_count
HSA-MIR-6867-5P100.0082.213464
HSA-MIR-4283100.0066.422097
HSA-MIR-4747-5P100.0067.902681
HSA-MIR-5196-5P100.0067.982761
HSA-MIR-3134100.0066.43777
HSA-MIR-453499.9966.581907
HSA-MIR-211099.9666.681930
HSA-MIR-808299.9567.271170
HSA-MIR-6721-5P99.9368.922981
HSA-MIR-6857-5P99.8765.32985
HSA-MIR-10395-5P99.8667.35676
HSA-MIR-6715A-3P99.8368.051473
HSA-MIR-4668-5P99.7970.583782
HSA-MIR-431999.7669.832586
HSA-MIR-3150A-3P99.7664.441640
HSA-MIR-6763-5P99.7664.681767
HSA-MIR-3680-3P99.7572.513095
HSA-MIR-453099.6966.471509
HSA-MIR-6887-3P99.6667.831778
HSA-MIR-6715B-5P99.6469.631420
HSA-MIR-613499.6365.681537
HSA-MIR-4756-3P99.6266.301319
HSA-MIR-426999.5569.891373
HSA-MIR-5004-3P99.5468.271371
HSA-MIR-1211799.5067.57868
HSA-MIR-143-3P99.4969.051457
HSA-MIR-477099.4969.091451
HSA-MIR-569599.4167.481047
HSA-MIR-431899.3866.941505
HSA-MIR-446099.3768.52615

Literature-anchored findings (GeneRIF, showing 37)

  • Analysis of MORC2 functional domains, subcellular localization and mRNA and protein expression demonstrates its role of nuclear localization in association with a proline-rich domain regulating gene transcriptional repression in cancer cells. (PMID:20225202)
  • the PAK1-MORC2 axis is critical for orchestrating the interplay between chromatin dynamics and the maintenance of genomic integrity through sequentially integrating multiple essential enzymatic processes. (PMID:23260667)
  • these results demonstrate a cytosolic function of MORC2 in lipogenesis, adipogenic differentiation, and lipid homeostasis by regulating the activity of ACLY. (PMID:24286864)
  • PAK1-mediated MORC2 phosphorylation promotes gastric tumorigenesis (PMID:25888627)
  • MORC2 down-regulated p21 by recruiting HDAC1 to the p21 promoter, in a p53-independent manner. MORC2 expression correlated negatively with p21 expression in gastric tumors in patients. (PMID:26098774)
  • MORC2 down-regulates the ArgBP2 via histone methylation in gastric cancer cells. (PMID:26476214)
  • identified two different mutations in the MORC2 gene in patients from three unrelated families presenting with an axonal motor and sensory neuropathy. (PMID:26497905)
  • have identified a new locus in which MORC2 mutations are the likely pathogenic cause of CMT2 and pyramidal signs in these families. (PMID:26659848)
  • Differential viral accessibility shows that loss of MORC2 results in chromatin decompaction at HUSH complex target loci, concomitant with a loss of H3K9me3 deposition and transcriptional derepression. The ATPase activity of MORC2 is critical for HUSH-mediated silencing. The most common alteration affecting the ATPase domain in CMT patients (p.Arg252Trp) hyperactivates HUSH-mediated repression in neuronal cells. (PMID:28581500)
  • results thus contribute to the knowledge of the regulatory mechanism of HSF1 in down-regulating ArgBP2, providing new insight into the HSF1&MORC2-PRC2-ArgBP2 signaling pathway and a better understanding of their functions in gastric cancer cells. (PMID:29339121)
  • defects lead to the modulation of HUSH function, thus providing a molecular basis for understanding MORC2-associated neuropathies (PMID:29440755)
  • MORC2 is widely expressed in human tissues but significantly up-regulated in many cancers, where it is associated with higher histologic grades and poor prognosis. (PMID:29555576)
  • For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the present study confirmed that MORC2 was a novel oncogene in liver cancer. These results provide useful insight into the mechanism underlying the tumorigenesis and progression of liver cancer, and offers clues into potential novel liver cancer therapies. (PMID:29620211)
  • the gain-of-function effect of a single mutation on MORC2 promotes metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer by regulating CD44 splicing mediated by hnRNPM (PMID:30093560)
  • Findings indicate the regulatory mechanism of microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 (MORC2) in downregulating N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 protein (NDRG1), and suggest MORC2 as a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer (CRC). (PMID:30407715)
  • MORC2 was upregulated in lung cancers relative to adjacent tissues. The results also demonstrated that MORC2 promoted lung cancer tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, MORC2 overexpression stimulated the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), driving angiogenesis. MORC2 activated Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in lung cancer cells. (PMID:30504718)
  • These changes were more pronounced and accompanied by abnormal axonal morphology, in neurons expressing the MORC2 p.S87L mutation, which is associated with a more severe clinical phenotype. (PMID:30624633)
  • MORC2 regulates C/EBPalpha-mediated cell differentiation via sumoylation. (PMID:30644437)
  • the findings of this study demonstrated the oncogenic role of MORC2 in cholangiocarcinoma tumorigenesis and metastasis, and clarified an underlying regulatory mechanism mediating MORC2 upregulation (PMID:31180332)
  • The findings uncover a previously unrecognized mechanistic link between MORC2 and PARP1 in the regulation of cellular response to DNA damage. (PMID:31616951)
  • The MORC2 can form a homodimer through its C-terminal coiled-coil (CC) domain, a process that is enhanced in response to chemotherapeutic drug camptothecin-induced DNA damage. (PMID:31796101)
  • A role for MORC2 in regulating DNA damage-induced G2 checkpoint through NAT10-mediated acetylation. (PMID:32112098)
  • De Novo Variants in the ATPase Module of MORC2 Cause a Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Growth Retardation and Variable Craniofacial Dysmorphism. (PMID:32693025)
  • The chromatin modifier MORC2 affects glucose metabolism by regulating the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A through a feed forward loop with c-Myc. (PMID:33626175)
  • A recurrent MORC2 mutation causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z. (PMID:33844363)
  • Characterization of genotype-phenotype correlation with MORC2 mutated Axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in a cohort of Chinese patients. (PMID:34059105)
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease due to MORC2 mutations in Spain. (PMID:34189813)
  • Microrchidia family CWtype zinc finger 2 promotes the proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelialmesenchymal transition of glioma by regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling via binding to Nmyc downstream regulated gene 1 promoter. (PMID:34913078)
  • HSP90 N-terminal inhibitors target oncoprotein MORC2 for autophagic degradation and suppress MORC2-driven breast cancer progression. (PMID:35522895)
  • Expanding the phenotypic variability of MORC2 gene mutations: From Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease to late-onset pure motor neuropathy. (PMID:35904125)
  • A Cockayne-like phenotype resulting from a de novo variant in MORC2: expanding the phenotype of MORC2-related disorders. (PMID:35920923)
  • MORC2 and MAX contributes to the expression of glycolytic enzymes, breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. (PMID:36802305)
  • Destabilization of microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 via the cyclin-dependent kinase 1-chaperone-mediated autophagy pathway promotes mitotic arrest and enhances cancer cellular sensitivity to microtubule-targeting agents. (PMID:36967563)
  • Alternative polyadenylation reprogramming of MORC2 induced by NUDT21 loss promotes KIRC carcinogenesis. (PMID:37737260)
  • Novel Insights into the Role of Chromatin Remodeler MORC2 in Cancer. (PMID:37892209)
  • Morc2a variants cause hydroxyl radical-mediated neuropathy and are rescued by restoring GHKL ATPase. (PMID:38227798)
  • MORC2 regulates RBM39-mediated CDK5RAP2 alternative splicing to promote EMT and metastasis in colon cancer. (PMID:39048555)

Cross-species orthologs

6 orthologs

OrganismSymbolGene ID
danio_reriomorc2ENSDARG00000028539
mus_musculusMorc2aENSMUSG00000034543
mus_musculusMorc2bENSMUSG00000048602
rattus_norvegicusMorc2bENSRNOG00000004501
rattus_norvegicusMorc2ENSRNOG00000019624
caenorhabditis_elegansWBGENE00022531

Paralogs (1): MORC1 (ENSG00000114487)

Protein

Protein identifiers

ATPase MORC2Q9Y6X9 (reviewed: Q9Y6X9)

Alternative names: MORC family CW-type zinc finger protein 2, Zinc finger CW-type coiled-coil domain protein 1

All UniProt accessions (4): A0A6Q8PGC6, A0A6Q8PHH3, Q9Y6X9, H7C1V1

UniProt curated annotations — full annotation on UniProt →

Function. ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler essential for epigenetic silencing by the HUSH (human silencing hub) complex. Recruited by HUSH to target site in heterochromatin, the ATPase activity and homodimerization are critical for HUSH-mediated silencing. Represses germ cell-related genes and L1 retrotransposons in collaboration with SETDB1 and the HUSH complex, the silencing is dependent of repressive epigenetic modifications, such as H3K9me3 mark. Silencing events often occur within introns of transcriptionally active genes, and lead to the down-regulation of host gene expression. During DNA damage response, regulates chromatin remodeling through ATP hydrolysis. Upon DNA damage, is phosphorylated by PAK1, both colocalize to chromatin and induce H2AX expression. ATPase activity is required and dependent of phosphorylation by PAK1 and presence of DNA. Recruits histone deacetylases, such as HDAC4, to promoter regions, causing local histone H3 deacetylation and transcriptional repression of genes such as CA9. Exhibits a cytosolic function in lipogenesis, adipogenic differentiation, and lipid homeostasis by increasing the activity of ACLY, possibly preventing its dephosphorylation. Together with MPHOSPH8, mediates silencing of protocadherin genes in the nervous system.

Subunit / interactions. Homodimerizes upon ATP-binding and dissociate upon ATP hydrolysis; homodimerization is required for gene silencing. Interacts with HDAC4. Interacts with ACLY. Interacts with TASOR and MPHOSPH8; the interactions associate MORC2 with the HUSH complex which recruits MORC2 to heterochromatic loci.

Subcellular location. Nucleus. Cytoplasm. Cytosol. Chromosome. Nucleus matrix.

Tissue specificity. Highly expressed in smooth muscle, pancreas and testis.

Post-translational modifications. (Microbial infection) Ubiquitinated by herpes simplex virus 1/HHV-1 protein ICP0, leading to proteasomal degradation. Phosphorylated by PAK1 at Ser-739 upon DNA damage. Phosphorylation is required for ATPase activity and recruitment to damaged chromatin.

Disease relevance. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, type 2Z (CMT2Z) [MIM:616688] An autosomal dominant, axonal form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a disorder of the peripheral nervous system, characterized by progressive weakness and atrophy, initially of the peroneal muscles and later of the distal muscles of the arms. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is classified in two main groups on the basis of electrophysiologic properties and histopathology: primary peripheral demyelinating neuropathies (designated CMT1 when they are dominantly inherited) and primary peripheral axonal neuropathies (CMT2). Neuropathies of the CMT2 group are characterized by signs of axonal degeneration in the absence of obvious myelin alterations, normal or slightly reduced nerve conduction velocities, and progressive distal muscle weakness and atrophy. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Developmental delay, impaired growth, dysmorphic facies, and axonal neuropathy (DIGFAN) [MIM:619090] An autosomal dominant disease characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, poor growth, short stature, microcephaly, and variable craniofacial dysmorphism. Patients often present weakness, hyporeflexia, and electrophysiologic abnormalities consistent with an axonal sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. Additional features may include hearing loss, pigmentary retinopathy, and abnormalities on brain imaging, including cerebral or cerebellar atrophy, hypomyelination, and lesions in the basal ganglia or brainstem. Disease severity is highly variable. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Activity regulation. ATPase activity is dependent of phosphorylation by PAK1 and presence of DNA.

Isoforms (2)

UniProt IDNamesCanonical?
Q9Y6X9-11yes
Q9Y6X9-22

RefSeq proteins (3): NP_001290185, NP_001290186, NP_055756 (=MANE)

Domains & families (InterPro)

IDNameType
IPR011124Znf_CWDomain
IPR036890HATPase_C_sfHomologous_superfamily
IPR041006Morc_S5Domain
IPR056360Chromo_MORC2_6thDomain

Pfam: PF07496, PF13589, PF17942, PF23327

Catalyzed reactions (Rhea), 1 shown:

  • ATP + H2O = ADP + phosphate + H(+) (RHEA:13065)

UniProt features (135 total): sequence variant 28, strand 22, helix 19, mutagenesis site 16, modified residue 13, binding site 9, compositionally biased region 6, cross-link 6, turn 5, coiled-coil region 4, region of interest 3, initiator methionine 1, chain 1, zinc finger region 1, splice variant 1

Structure

Experimental structures (PDB)

9 structures.

PDBMethodResolution (Å)
5OF9X-RAY DIFFRACTION1.81
9CDHELECTRON MICROSCOPY1.95
5OFBX-RAY DIFFRACTION2.02
9CDFELECTRON MICROSCOPY2.39
9CDGELECTRON MICROSCOPY2.43
9CDJELECTRON MICROSCOPY2.49
5OFAX-RAY DIFFRACTION2.57
9KQLX-RAY DIFFRACTION3.1
9CDIELECTRON MICROSCOPY3.24

Predicted structure (AlphaFold)

ModelpLDDTFraction very-high
AF-Q9Y6X9-F178.370.52

Functional residue map

Curated UniProt residues grouped by drug-discovery relevance — catalytic, ligand-binding, modification, and mutation-validated positions. Source: UniProtKB sequence features.

Ligand- & substrate-binding residues (9): 39; 39; 87–89; 99–105; 427; 499; 502; 525; 536

Post-translational modifications (19): 2, 582, 602, 615, 696, 705, 725, 730, 733, 739, 743, 777, 779, 652, 704, 716, 767, 819, 932

Mutagenesis-validated functional residues (16):

PositionPhenotype
18abolishes homodimerization. no effect on atpase activity. loss of hush-dependent gene silencing.
39loss of atp-binding and atpase activity. does not homodimerizes. seems to abolish chromatin compaction.
68loss of atp-binding and atpase activity. loss of binding to atp and atpase activity; when associated with a-69. prevents
69no effect on binding to atp and atpase activity; when associated with a-68.
266increases hush-dependent gene silencing.
319no effect on hush-dependent gene silencing.
326loss of hush-dependent gene silencing. decreases dsdna-binding affinity; when associated with e-329 and e-333.
329loss of hush-dependent gene silencing. decreases dsdna-binding affinity; when associated with e-326 and e-333.
333loss of hush-dependent gene silencing. decreases dsdna-binding affinity; when associated with e-326 and e-329.
344no effect on hush-dependent gene silencing.
351no effect on hush-dependent gene silencing.
358no effect on hush-dependent gene silencing.
725no effect on phosphorylation by pak1.
730no effect on phosphorylation by pak1.
739abolishes phosphorylation by pak1. not recruited on damaged chromatin. loss of atpase activity. prevents chromatin remod
773no effect on phosphorylation by pak1.

Function

Pathways and Gene Ontology

Reactome pathways

8 pathways

IDPathway
R-HSA-75105Fatty acyl-CoA biosynthesis
R-HSA-9843970Regulation of endogenous retroelements by the Human Silencing Hub (HUSH) complex
R-HSA-1430728Metabolism
R-HSA-212165Epigenetic regulation of gene expression
R-HSA-556833Metabolism of lipids
R-HSA-74160Gene expression (Transcription)
R-HSA-8978868Fatty acid metabolism
R-HSA-9842860Regulation of endogenous retroelements

MSigDB gene sets: 312 (showing top): GOBP_MONOCARBOXYLIC_ACID_METABOLIC_PROCESS, GOBP_NEGATIVE_REGULATION_OF_GENE_EXPRESSION_EPIGENETIC, ONKEN_UVEAL_MELANOMA_UP, GOBP_DNA_DAMAGE_RESPONSE, ATTCTTT_MIR186, LIAO_METASTASIS, GOBP_LIPID_METABOLIC_PROCESS, GOBP_ORGANIC_ACID_METABOLIC_PROCESS, TIEN_INTESTINE_PROBIOTICS_24HR_UP, GOBP_CHROMATIN_REMODELING, GOBP_HETEROCHROMATIN_ORGANIZATION, GOBP_EPIGENETIC_REGULATION_OF_GENE_EXPRESSION, WANG_HCP_PROSTATE_CANCER, GOMF_CHROMATIN_BINDING, MARSON_BOUND_BY_FOXP3_UNSTIMULATED

GO Biological Process (6): chromatin remodeling (GO:0006338), fatty acid metabolic process (GO:0006631), DNA damage response (GO:0006974), constitutive heterochromatin formation (GO:0140719), transposable element silencing by heterochromatin formation (GO:0141005), lipid metabolic process (GO:0006629)

GO Molecular Function (12): magnesium ion binding (GO:0000287), chromatin binding (GO:0003682), ATP binding (GO:0005524), zinc ion binding (GO:0008270), ATP hydrolysis activity (GO:0016887), identical protein binding (GO:0042802), protein homodimerization activity (GO:0042803), ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler activity (GO:0140658), nucleotide binding (GO:0000166), protein binding (GO:0005515), hydrolase activity (GO:0016787), metal ion binding (GO:0046872)

GO Cellular Component (7): heterochromatin (GO:0000792), nucleus (GO:0005634), nucleoplasm (GO:0005654), cytoplasm (GO:0005737), cytosol (GO:0005829), nuclear matrix (GO:0016363), chromosome (GO:0005694)

Reactome top-level categories

Rollup of top-6 pathways:

CategoryPathways
Fatty acid metabolism1
Regulation of endogenous retroelements1
Gene expression (Transcription)1
Metabolism1
Metabolism of lipids1
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression1

GO top-level categories

Rollup of top GO terms by namespace:

CategoryTerms
cellular anatomical structure4
binding2
nuclear lumen2
chromatin organization1
lipid metabolic process1
monocarboxylic acid metabolic process1
cellular response to stress1
heterochromatin formation1
transposable element silencing1
constitutive heterochromatin formation1
primary metabolic process1
metal ion binding1
adenyl ribonucleotide binding1
purine ribonucleoside triphosphate binding1
transition metal ion binding1
ribonucleoside triphosphate phosphatase activity1
ATP-dependent activity1
protein binding1
identical protein binding1
protein dimerization activity1
DNA binding1
chromatin remodeling1
ATP-dependent activity, acting on DNA1
nucleoside phosphate binding1
heterocyclic compound binding1
catalytic activity1
cation binding1
chromatin1
intracellular membrane-bounded organelle1
intracellular anatomical structure1
cytoplasm1
intracellular membraneless organelle1

Protein interactions and networks

STRING

1010 interactions, top by confidence (×1000):

Protein AProtein BPartner UniProtScore
MORC2TASORQ9UK61705
MORC2MPHOSPH8Q99549697
MORC2YIPF2Q9BWQ6694
MORC2NAT10Q9H0A0540
MORC2PPHLN1Q8NEY8526
MORC2ARID4BQ4LE39500
MORC2IGHMBP2P38935448
MORC2FOXK1P85037421
MORC2SMCHD1A6NHR9415
MORC2SIN3AQ96ST3414
MORC2GDAP1Q8TB36412
MORC2SH3TC2Q8TF17407
MORC2AAGABQ6PD74378
MORC2FGD4Q96M96370
MORC2DHTKD1Q96HY7361

IntAct

44 interactions, top by confidence:

ABTypeScore
RBM7PPP2R1Apsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.730
DHX8AHCYL1psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.640
SNX9WASLpsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.640
MORC1MORC2psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.620
DDX21MED19psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.480
H3C1SMCHD1psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.410
MORC2P4HA2psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
MORC2B2Mpsi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
MORC2PARP1psi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
MORC2SH2D4Apsi-mi:“MI:0915”(physical association)0.400
Cbx4DNAJB6psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
SGTBARHGAP32psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
HNRNPDARHGAP32psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
SORT1SH3PXD2Bpsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
MAXSMARCA5psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
ESR1ESYT2psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
CUL2ANXA2P2psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
MORC1RNF40psi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
LETM2EIF3CLpsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
CD200R1KIF2Apsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
KCMF1CITpsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
UCHL5KIF2Apsi-mi:“MI:0914”(association)0.350
H2BC10SMCHD1psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.270
HNF4ATAF4psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.270
NFIXTAF4psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.270
PAX6SMCHD1psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.270
TEAD1SMCHD1psi-mi:“MI:2364”(proximity)0.270

BioGRID (133): MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Co-fractionation), MORC2 (Proximity Label-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS), MORC2 (Affinity Capture-MS)

ESM2 similar proteins: A1CS00, A1CT57, A1D4V5, A1DMG9, A2Q8R2, A2Q8R9, A2QGF0, A2QVS9, A4R8D7, A4RN08, A6QYC6, A6RIS1, A7EFH4, B0XMV6, B8NG97, G0S024, I1RMK9, I1S4N7, P14017, P21594, P78621, Q01408, Q0CWI2, Q1DY43, Q1E2F4, Q2HG76, Q2U3W4, Q2UM19, Q2URJ5, Q4I8C9, Q4IJ84, Q4WHB7, Q4WKB5, Q4WN42, Q4WQJ1, Q4WUJ6, Q4WUT7, Q4WXA1, Q51LS1, Q5B423

Diamond homologs: F4JPP0, F4JRS4, F4K2G3, F4KAF2, F7BJB9, Q14149, Q56Y74, Q5CCK4, Q5FV35, Q69ZX6, Q6IR42, Q84WV6, Q8BMD7, Q8C5W4, Q8TE76, Q9M1I1, Q9WVL5, Q9Y6X9, Q0DIQ5, Q6Z3U3, Q23243, Q86VD1

SIGNOR signaling

7 interactions.

AEffectBMechanism
PAK1“up-regulates activity”MORC2phosphorylation
MORC2“up-regulates activity”NAT10binding
PRKACA“up-regulates quantity by stabilization”MORC2phosphorylation
CDK1“down-regulates quantity by destabilization”MORC2phosphorylation
“HUSH epigenetic repressor complex”“up-regulates activity”MORC2binding

Enriched among interaction partners

Reactome pathways and GO biological processes over-represented among this gene’s 59 IntAct physical interaction partners (hypergeometric vs the genome-wide background, BH-FDR, gene-set size 15–500, ranked by fold). A functional readout of the neighbourhood — distinct from this gene’s own memberships above, and biased toward well-studied / hub proteins, so read it as themes rather than proof.

Reactome pathways:

PathwayPartnersFoldFDR
mRNA Splicing - Major Pathway89.9×4e-04
Dengue Virus-Host Interactions88.3×9e-04

GO biological processes:

GO termPartnersFoldFDR
chromatin remodeling811.0×3e-04
RNA splicing610.0×4e-03
transcription by RNA polymerase II68.0×9e-03

Disease & clinical

Clinical variants and AI predictions

ClinVar

1059 variants total. Per-class counts are floors (≥ shown; pagination cap):

ClassificationCount (floor)
Pathogenic10
Likely pathogenic17
Uncertain significance531
Likely benign386
Benign41

Top pathogenic / likely-pathogenic (27)

Variant IDHGVSClassification
1699240NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.259T>C (p.Ser87Pro)Pathogenic
2138437NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1396G>A (p.Asp466Asn)Pathogenic
218308NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.260C>T (p.Ser87Leu)Pathogenic
2737036NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1271C>G (p.Thr424Arg)Pathogenic
3602082NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1397A>G (p.Asp466Gly)Pathogenic
3897854NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.755G>T (p.Arg252Leu)Pathogenic
660304NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1220G>A (p.Cys407Tyr)Pathogenic
662781NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.395G>T (p.Arg132Leu)Pathogenic
804164NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.79G>A (p.Glu27Lys)Pathogenic
871542NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.707A>C (p.Glu236Ala)Pathogenic
1174103NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1238T>C (p.Val413Ala)Likely pathogenic
1802171NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.317C>T (p.Ser106Leu)Likely pathogenic
1802195NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.3031G>A (p.Asp1011Asn)Likely pathogenic
2810254NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1271C>A (p.Thr424Lys)Likely pathogenic
3235749NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.810C>G (p.Cys270Trp)Likely pathogenic
3256794NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.229G>C (p.Asp77His)Likely pathogenic
3602632NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.265A>G (p.Lys89Glu)Likely pathogenic
4687916NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1219T>C (p.Cys407Arg)Likely pathogenic
4687997NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.64A>C (p.Asn22His)Likely pathogenic
4819353NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.301G>T (p.Gly101Trp)Likely pathogenic
659166NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.798G>T (p.Arg266Ser)Likely pathogenic
694959NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1217C>T (p.Ala406Val)Likely pathogenic
695096NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.263C>T (p.Ala88Val)Likely pathogenic
804165NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1237G>T (p.Val413Phe)Likely pathogenic
804228NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.71C>T (p.Thr24Ile)Likely pathogenic
804304NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1164C>G (p.Ser388Arg)Likely pathogenic
992666NM_001303256.3(MORC2):c.1292C>T (p.Ala431Val)Likely pathogenic

SpliceAI

3973 predictions. Top by Δscore:

VariantEffectΔscore
22:30926872:C:Gacceptor_loss1.0000
22:30928015:TCACC:Tdonor_loss1.0000
22:30928016:CA:Cdonor_loss1.0000
22:30928017:ACCT:Adonor_gain1.0000
22:30928018:CCTC:Cdonor_gain1.0000
22:30928020:T:TAdonor_gain1.0000
22:30928203:TCCTT:Tacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30928204:CCTTC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30928205:CTT:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30928206:TT:Tacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30928206:TTC:Tacceptor_loss1.0000
22:30928207:TCTG:Tacceptor_loss1.0000
22:30928208:C:CCacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30928208:CT:Cacceptor_loss1.0000
22:30928211:T:TCacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30928218:C:CTacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30932540:TGTA:Tdonor_loss1.0000
22:30932541:GTACC:Gdonor_loss1.0000
22:30932542:TAC:Tdonor_loss1.0000
22:30932543:A:ACdonor_gain1.0000
22:30932544:C:CCdonor_gain1.0000
22:30932768:CC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30932769:CC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30932848:T:TAdonor_gain1.0000
22:30934055:CTCA:Cdonor_loss1.0000
22:30934056:TCA:Tdonor_loss1.0000
22:30934187:GTAGC:Gacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30934188:TAGC:Tacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30934190:GC:Gacceptor_gain1.0000
22:30934191:CC:Cacceptor_gain1.0000

AlphaMissense

6754 scored. Top likely-pathogenic:

VariantProtein changeam_pathogenicity
22:30926822:A:GL1027P1.000
22:30928035:A:GL1005P1.000
22:30928038:A:GL1004P1.000
22:30928059:A:GL997P1.000
22:30936961:G:CC525W1.000
22:30936962:C:GC525S1.000
22:30936962:C:TC525Y1.000
22:30936963:A:GC525R1.000
22:30936963:A:TC525S1.000
22:30936969:A:GW523R1.000
22:30936969:A:TW523R1.000
22:30937018:T:AR506S1.000
22:30937018:T:GR506S1.000
22:30937019:C:GR506T1.000
22:30937021:C:AW505C1.000
22:30937021:C:GW505C1.000
22:30937023:A:GW505R1.000
22:30937023:A:TW505R1.000
22:30937032:A:GC502R1.000
22:30937584:G:CC499W1.000
22:30937586:A:GC499R1.000
22:30937688:A:GW465R1.000
22:30937688:A:TW465R1.000
22:30937844:A:GL447P1.000
22:30937868:A:GL439P1.000
22:30937894:A:CF430L1.000
22:30937894:A:TF430L1.000
22:30937895:A:GF430S1.000
22:30937896:A:GF430L1.000
22:30937900:C:AQ428H1.000

dbSNP variants (sampled 300 via entrez): RS1000060766 (22:30965776 T>C), RS1000249538 (22:30940175 T>A,G), RS1000284790 (22:30970519 G>C), RS1000323114 (22:30925884 G>C), RS1000336064 (22:30934797 G>A), RS1000570613 (22:30926222 C>T), RS1000593592 (22:30928874 G>A), RS1000615524 (22:30946702 A>G), RS1000757348 (22:30953836 G>A,T), RS1000791205 (22:30960684 T>C), RS1000849048 (22:30939897 A>G), RS1000885963 (22:30960487 T>G), RS1000960567 (22:30960881 T>C), RS1000999411 (22:30966987 G>C), RS1001040346 (22:30967743 A>G,T)

Disease associations

OMIM: gene MIM:616661 | disease phenotypes: MIM:616688, MIM:619090, MIM:118220, MIM:182960

GenCC curated gene-disease

DiseaseClassificationInheritance
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2ZDefinitiveAutosomal dominant
developmental delay, impaired growth, dysmorphic facies, and axonal neuropathyStrongAutosomal dominant

ClinGen Gene-Disease Validity (2)

Expert-panel classifications — Definitive > Strong > Moderate > Limited > Disputed > Refuted.

DiseaseClassificationInheritance
Leigh syndromeLimitedAD
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2ZDefinitiveAD

Mondo (8): Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease axonal type 2Z (MONDO:0014736), developmental delay, impaired growth, dysmorphic facies, and axonal neuropathy (MONDO:0030835), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (MONDO:0015626), distal hereditary motor neuropathy (MONDO:0018894), neurodevelopmental disorder (MONDO:0700092), neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal dominant (MONDO:0015362), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (MONDO:0019011), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4 (MONDO:0018995)

Orphanet (6): Autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z (Orphanet:466768), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease/Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (Orphanet:166), Distal hereditary motor neuropathy (Orphanet:53739), Autosomal dominant distal hereditary motor neuropathy (Orphanet:140465), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (Orphanet:65753), Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4 (Orphanet:64749)

HPO phenotypes

108 total (30 of 108 shown, HPO-id order):

HPOTerm
HP:0000006Autosomal dominant inheritance
HP:0000020Urinary incontinence
HP:0000252Microcephaly
HP:0000365Hearing impairment
HP:0000467Neck muscle weakness
HP:0000518Cataract
HP:0000580Pigmentary retinopathy
HP:0000750Delayed speech and language development
HP:0001047Atopic dermatitis
HP:0001171Split hand
HP:0001249Intellectual disability
HP:0001250Seizure
HP:0001251Ataxia
HP:0001252Hypotonia
HP:0001257Spasticity
HP:0001263Global developmental delay
HP:0001265Hyporeflexia
HP:0001270Motor delay
HP:0001272Cerebellar atrophy
HP:0001276Hypertonia
HP:0001284Areflexia
HP:0001288Gait disturbance
HP:0001290Generalized hypotonia
HP:0001315Reduced tendon reflexes
HP:0001328Specific learning disability
HP:0001337Tremor
HP:0001347Hyperreflexia
HP:0001620Abnormally high-pitched voice
HP:0001761Pes cavus
HP:0001763Pes planus

GWAS associations

0 associations (top):

MeSH disease descriptors (2)

DescriptorNameTree numbers
D002607Charcot-Marie-Tooth DiseaseC10.500.300.200; C10.574.500.495.200; C10.668.829.800.300.200; C16.131.666.300.200; C16.320.400.375.200
D065886Neurodevelopmental DisordersF03.625

Drugs & pharmacology

Drug and pharmacology data

Is drug target: no

PharmGKB: 1 entry (VIP=true, CPIC=false)

CTD chemical–gene interactions

31 total (human), top 30 by PubMed support.

ChemicalActions (top 5)PubMed papers
Doxorubicindecreases expression, affects phosphorylation, affects response to substance2
aristolochic acid Iincreases expression1
bisphenol Faffects cotreatment, decreases expression1
TAK-243decreases sumoylation1
dicrotophosincreases expression1
triphenyl phosphateaffects expression1
sodium arseniteaffects cotreatment, increases abundance, increases expression1
manganese chlorideaffects cotreatment, increases abundance, increases expression1
coumarinincreases phosphorylation1
beta-methylcholineaffects expression1
tamibarotenedecreases expression1
di-n-butylphosphoric acidaffects expression1
K 7174increases expression1
Grape Seed Proanthocyanidinsaffects cotreatment, increases expression1
Bortezomibincreases expression1
Acetaminophendecreases expression1
Arsenicincreases expression, affects cotreatment, increases abundance1
Atrazinedecreases expression1
Caffeinedecreases phosphorylation1
Catechinaffects cotreatment, increases expression1
Dexamethasoneaffects cotreatment, decreases expression1
Endosulfanincreases expression1
Formaldehydedecreases expression1
Indomethacinaffects cotreatment, decreases expression1
Manganeseincreases expression, affects cotreatment, increases abundance1
Phenobarbitalaffects expression1
Gonadal Steroid Hormonesincreases expression1
Tretinoindecreases expression1
1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthineaffects cotreatment, decreases expression1
Aflatoxin B1decreases methylation1

Cellosaurus cell lines

1 cell lines: 1 cancer cell line

First 10 cell lines (id-ordered, not curated):

CellosaurusNameCategorySex
CVCL_E0IBUbigene HeLa MORC2 KOCancer cell lineFemale

Clinical trials (associated diseases)

261 trials via MONDO — disease-level, not drug-specific.

TrialPhaseStatusTitle
NCT04586348PHASE4UNKNOWNPrenatal Iodine Supplementation and Early Childhood Neurodevelopment
NCT04873115PHASE4UNKNOWNDouble-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Sialanar Plus orAl rehabiLitation Against Placebo Plus Oral Rehabilitation for chIldren and Adolescents With seVere Sialorrhoea and Neurodisabilties,
NCT04762758PHASE3UNKNOWNPhase III Trial Assessing the Efficacy and Safety of PXT3003 in CMT1A Patients
NCT02559102PHASE3COMPLETEDDexmedetomidine Sedation Versus General Anaesthesia for Inguinal Hernia Surgery in Infants
NCT02757079PHASE3COMPLETEDStudy of the Efficacy and Safety of NPC-15 for Sleep Disorders of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
NCT06915480PHASE3RECRUITINGReducing Missed Appointments
NCT07377032PHASE3RECRUITINGTAP-GRIN: Interventional Study on Patients With GRIN-related Neurodevelopmental Disorders
NCT00271635PHASE2COMPLETEDAscorbic Acid Treatment in CMT1A Trial (AATIC)
NCT01401257PHASE2COMPLETEDPhase II, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial in Patients With Charcot-marie-tooth Disease Type 1A
NCT02561702PHASE2COMPLETEDMexiletine for Muscle Cramps in Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
NCT02967679PHASE2COMPLETEDSERENDEM : MD1003 in Patients Suffering From Demyelinating Neuropathies, an Open Label Pilot Study
NCT03124459PHASE2TERMINATEDStudy of ACE-083 in Patients With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
NCT03254199PHASE2TERMINATEDA Study to Assess the Safety and Effectiveness of FLX-787 in Subjects With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Experiencing Muscle Cramps.
NCT03943290PHASE2TERMINATEDExtension Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Effects of ACE-083 in Patients With Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) and Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) Disease Types 1 and X (CMT1 and CMTX)
NCT05777226PHASE2UNKNOWNResearch of SORD-CMT Natural History and Epalrestat Treatment
NCT06482437PHASE2COMPLETEDSafety and Efficacy of NMD670 in Adult Patients With Type 1 and Type 2 Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
NCT02909959PHASE2COMPLETEDSulforaphane for the Treatment of Young Men With Autism Spectrum Disorder
NCT06081348PHASE2RECRUITINGSertraline vs. Placebo in the Treatment of Anxiety in Children and AdoLescents With NeurodevelopMental Disorders
NCT06352372PHASE2COMPLETEDSafety and Efficacy of tPBM for Epileptiform Activity in Autism
NCT00503191PHASE1COMPLETEDNeuroModulation Technique Treatment of Autism
NCT04475848PHASE1COMPLETEDA Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Food Effect of RO6953958 in Healthy Participants
NCT06300398PHASE1COMPLETEDIAMA-6 Oral Dose Study in Healthy Adults
NCT01289704PHASE2/PHASE3UNKNOWNTreadmill, Stretching and Proprioceptive Exercise (TreSPE) Rehabilitation Program for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Type 1A (CMT1A)
NCT00541164PHASE1/PHASE2COMPLETEDEffects of Coenzyme Q10 on Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
NCT05361031PHASE1/PHASE2COMPLETEDThe Safety and Tolerability of Engensis (VM202) in Patients With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Subtype 1A (CMT1A)
NCT07223632PHASE1/PHASE2ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGTreatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, Axonal, Type 2S (CMT2S) in an Individual Patient
NCT00149045Not specifiedCOMPLETEDFollow up and Observation of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease in Families
NCT01193075Not specifiedRECRUITINGNatural History Evaluation of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT) Types CMT1B, CMT2A, CMT4A, CMT4C, and Others
NCT01203085Not specifiedCOMPLETEDDevelopment of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT) Pediatric Scale for Children With CMT
NCT01455623Not specifiedCOMPLETEDDevelopment and Validation of a Disability Severity Index for CMT
NCT01918826Not specifiedUNKNOWNEvaluation of the Analgesic Efficiency of the Transcutaneous Neurostimulation in the Charcot Syndrome Marie Tooth on the Pains of Lower Limbs
NCT02001038Not specifiedCOMPLETEDSurvey of Current Management of Orthopaedic Complications in CMT Patients
NCT02011204Not specifiedCOMPLETEDStudy of Electrical Impedance Myography (EIM) in ALS
NCT02194010Not specifiedCOMPLETEDDisability Severity Scale (DSI) and Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy Overall Disability Scale (HMSN-R-ODS)
NCT02429947Not specifiedCOMPLETEDAn Analysis of the Symptomatic Domains Most Relevant to Charcot Marie Tooth Neuropathy (CMT) Patients
NCT02532244Not specifiedCOMPLETEDGenetics of Pediatric-Onset Motor Neuron and Neuromuscular Diseases
NCT02699190Not specifiedCOMPLETEDLeukoSEQ: Whole Genome Sequencing as a First-Line Diagnostic Tool for Leukodystrophies
NCT02788734Not specifiedCOMPLETEDPatient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROM) in Carpal Tunnel Therapies in Patients With Inherited Neuropathies
NCT02979145Not specifiedUNKNOWNCharcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) Infant Scale (INC-6611)
NCT03047369Not specifiedRECRUITINGThe Myelin Disorders Biorepository Project