MORC family CW-type zinc finger protein 4 (MORC4)

MORC family CW-type zinc finger protein 4 (MORC4) is a member of the microrchidia (MORC) nuclear protein family characterized by a GHKL-type ATPase domain, a CW-type zinc finger motif, and a C-terminal coiled-coil region[2][3][5][7]. MORC4 binds various methylation states of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4) and functions as a histone methylation reader, chromatin remodeler, and DNA-binding protein[5][7]. It regulates chromatin structure by wrapping DNA around nucleosomes, impeding access of transcription factors, and participates in transcriptional regulation, S-phase cell cycle progression, and nuclear body formation[2][3][5][7]. MORC4 is widely expressed in human tissues, with higher expression in placenta and testis, and is upregulated in some malignancies, including breast and colorectal cancer, as well as in inflammatory disorders such as pancreatitis[2][5][8]. While it is biologically associated with disease pathogenesis and is a candidate for further study, it is not established as a direct therapeutic target and has no known clinically relevant inhibitors or drugs.

Other names

ZCW4ZCWCC2FLJ11565Zinc finger CW-type coiled-coil domain protein 2Zinc finger CW-type domain protein 4dJ75H8.2