MORC2 Interactome: Its Involvement in Metabolism and Cancer

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures
07:48

Utilizing Functional Genomics Screening to Identify Potentially Novel Drug Targets in Cancer Cell Spheroid Cultures

Published on: December 26, 2016

11.6K

Rohith Kumar Guddeti1, Namita Chutani1, Suresh B Pakala1

  • 1Biology Division, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Karakambadi Road, Mangalam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517 507 India.

Biophysical Reviews
|September 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Microrchidia 2 (MORC2) is a key protein involved in cancer progression. This review details MORC2’s role in epigenetic regulation, DNA repair, and metabolic reprogramming, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Microrchidia 2 (MORC2) is an emerging chromatin modifier.
  • MORC2 is upregulated in most cancers, contributing to tumorigenesis and metastasis.
  • MORC2 functions as a scaffolding protein, interacting with proteins in DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, and metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the domain architecture and localization of MORC2.
  • To highlight MORC2-interacting partners involved in metabolic reprogramming.
  • To discuss the pathological functions of MORC2 in cancer progression and metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on MORC2.
  • Analysis of MORC2 domain architecture and cellular localization.
  • Identification and discussion of MORC2-interacting proteins.

Main Results:

  • MORC2 plays a significant role in chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulation.
  • MORC2 interacts with proteins crucial for DNA repair, lipogenesis, and glucose metabolism.
  • MORC2 is implicated in metabolic reprogramming, cancer progression, and metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • MORC2 is a critical regulator in cancer development and progression.
  • Understanding MORC2 interactions provides insights into cancer pathobiology.
  • MORC2 represents a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
CancerChromatin modifiersInteracting partnersMORC2Metabolism

More Related Videos

Navigating the Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Data Using Free Computational Tools07:01

Navigating the Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Data Using Free Computational Tools

Published on: August 19, 2025

296
Analyzing Tumor Gene Expression Factors with the CorExplorer Web Portal08:00

Analyzing Tumor Gene Expression Factors with the CorExplorer Web Portal

Published on: October 11, 2019

7.7K

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.0K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
4.2K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
8.4K
Regulation of Metabolism01:19

Regulation of Metabolism

Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...
10.4K
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
15.4K
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
1.5K