Neuropathic MORC2 mutations perturb GHKL ATPase dimerization dynamics and epigenetic silencing by multiple structural mechanisms

Christopher H. Douse (), Stuart Bloor, Yangci Liu, Maria Shamin, Iva A. Tchasovnikarova, Richard T. Timms, Paul J. Lehner and Yorgo Modis ()
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Christopher H. Douse: University of Cambridge
Stuart Bloor: University of Cambridge
Yangci Liu: University of Cambridge
Maria Shamin: University of Cambridge
Iva A. Tchasovnikarova: University of Cambridge
Richard T. Timms: University of Cambridge
Paul J. Lehner: University of Cambridge
Yorgo Modis: University of Cambridge

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Missense mutations in MORC2 cause neuropathies including spinal muscular atrophy and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease. We recently identified MORC2 as an effector of epigenetic silencing by the human silencing hub (HUSH). Here we report the biochemical and cellular activities of MORC2 variants, alongside crystal structures of wild-type and neuropathic forms of a human MORC2 fragment comprising the GHKL-type ATPase module and CW-type zinc finger. This fragment dimerizes upon binding ATP and contains a hinged, functionally critical coiled-coil insertion absent in other GHKL ATPases. We find that dimerization and DNA binding of the MORC2 ATPase module transduce HUSH-dependent silencing. Disease mutations change the dynamics of dimerization by distinct structural mechanisms: destabilizing the ATPase-CW module, trapping the ATP lid, or perturbing the dimer interface. These defects lead to the modulation of HUSH function, thus providing a molecular basis for understanding MORC2-associated neuropathies.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03045-x

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