Intellectual disability
Gene: MORC2

MORC2 (MORC family CW-type zinc finger 2)
EnsemblGeneIds (GRCh38): ENSG00000133422
EnsemblGeneIds (GRCh37): ENSG00000133422
OMIM: 616661, Gene2Phenotype
MORC2 is in 9 panels

3 reviews

Sarah Leigh (Genomics England Curator)

The rating of this gene has been updated following NHS Genomic Medicine Service approval.
Created: 9 Mar 2022, 3:40 p.m. | Last Modified: 9 Mar 2022, 3:40 p.m.

Panel Version: 3.1510

Created: 9 Mar 2022, 3:40 p.m.
Last Modified: 9 Mar 2022, 3:40 p.m.
Panel version: 3.1510

Arina Puzriakova (Genomics England Curator)

Green List (high evidence)

Comment on phenotypes: OMIM phenotype accessed on 03-02-2026
Created: 3 Feb 2026, 10:45 a.m. | Last Modified: 3 Feb 2026, 10:45 a.m.

Panel Version: 9.246

Comment on list classification: Though signs suggestive of neuropathy were observed in the cohort presented by Sacoto et al (PMID:32693025), these were not the predominant feature of the disease presentation or the primary indication for diagnostic testing. Inclusion on this panel would be of value for detecting such cases, and so this gene should be promoted to Green at the next GMS panel update (added 'for-review' tag)
Created: 8 Dec 2020, 11:44 a.m. | Last Modified: 8 Dec 2020, 11:44 a.m.

Panel Version: 3.639

New gene-disease association identified by reviewer Konstantinos Varvagiannis. MORC2 variants have commonly been associated with CMT, presenting axonal neuropathy with progressive weakness, muscle cramps and sensory impairment. However, Sacoto et al (2020) present a cohort of 20 individuals (19 kindreds) in whom the primary indication for testing was developmental delay or growth failure (1 exception with a diagnosis of sensorimotor neuropathy). Among other features, variable degree of ID was commonly reported (11 mild, 1 mild-to-moderate, 3 moderate, 3 severe).
Created: 8 Dec 2020, 11:34 a.m. | Last Modified: 8 Dec 2020, 11:34 a.m.

Panel Version: 3.638

Mode of inheritance
MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, imprinted status unknown

Phenotypes
Developmental delay; Intellectual disability; Growth retardation; Microcephaly; Craniofacial dysmorphism

Publications

32693025

Created: 8 Dec 2020, 11:34 a.m.
Last Modified: 8 Dec 2020, 11:34 a.m.
Panel version: 3.638

Konstantinos Varvagiannis (Other)

Green List (high evidence)

The current review is based on a recent report by Sacoto et al (2020 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.06.013)

While several previous studies focused on the phenotype of axonal motor and senory neuropathy in individuals with heterozygous MORC2 pathogenic variants (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, type 2Z, MIM #616688) some of them presented among others with hypotonia, muscle weakness, intellectual disability, microcephaly or hearing loss [refs provided by Sacoto et al - learning disabilities (in some patients) also listed in OMIM's clinical synopsis].

Sacoto et al present a cohort of 20 individuals having genetic testing for developmental delay or growth failure (with a single one for a diagnosis of sensorimotor neuropathy).

Overlapping features included DD, ID (18/20 - mild to severe), short stature (18/20), microcephaly (15/20) and variable craniofacial dysmorphisms. The authors comment that features suggestive of neuropathy (weakness, hyporeflexia, abnormal EMG/NCS) were frequent but not the predominant complaint. EMG/NCS abnormalities were abnormal in 6 out of 10 subjects investigated in this cohort. Other findings included brain MRI abnormalities (12/18 - in 5/18 Leigh-like lesions), hearing loss (11/19) and pigmentary retinopathy in few (5).

Affected subjects were found to harbor in all cases missense variants in the ATPase module of MORC2 [residues 1 to 494 - NM_001303256.1 - the module consists of an ATPase domain (aa 1-265), a transducer S5-like domain (266-494) and a coiled-coiled domain (CC1 - aa 282-361)].

Variants had occured mostly as de novo events although inheritance from a similarly affected parent was also reported.

Some of them were recurring within this cohort and/or the literature eg. c.79G>A/p.Glu27Lys (x5), c.260C>T/p.Ser87Leu (x2), c.394C>T/p.Arg132Cys (4x), c.1164C>G/p.Ser388Arg (x2), c.1181A>G/p.Tyr394Cys (x3).

MORC2 encodes an ATPase involved in chromatin remodeling, DNA repair and transcriptional regulation. Chromatin remodeling and epigenetic silencing by MORC2 is mediated by the HUSH (Human Silencing Hub) complex. Functional studies (MORC2-knockout HeLa cells harboring a HUSH-sensitive GFP reporter were transduced with wt or mt MORC2 followed by measurement of reporter repression) supported the deleterious effect of most variants known at the time (hyperactivation of HUSH-mediating silencing, in line with previous observations).

Overall this gene can be considered for inclusion in the ID panel with green rating. Also other gene panels (e.g. for short stature, microcephaly, hearing loss, pigmentary retinopathy, etc) if it meets the respective criteria for inclusion.
Sources: Literature
Created: 26 Jul 2020, 7:45 a.m.

Mode of inheritance
MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, imprinted status unknown

Phenotypes
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, type 2Z, MIM #616688

Publications

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.06.013

Mode of pathogenicity
Loss-of-function variants (as defined in pop up message) DO NOT cause this phenotype - please provide details in the comments

Created: 26 Jul 2020, 7:45 a.m.

Panel version: 3.201

Details

Mode of Inheritance

MONOALLELIC, autosomal or pseudoautosomal, imprinted status unknown

Sources

Expert Review Green

Phenotypes

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, axonal, type 2Z, OMIM:616688
Developmental delay, impaired growth, dysmorphic facies, and axonal neuropathy, OMIM:619090

OMIM

616661

Clinvar variants

Variants in MORC2

Penetrance

unknown

Publications

32693025

Mode of Pathogenicity

Loss-of-function variants (as defined in pop up message) DO NOT cause this phenotype - please provide details in the comments

Panels with this gene