<scp>MORC</scp> proteins: critical epigenetic players in plants

Microrchidia (MORC) represents a conserved nuclear superfamily of proteins involved in epigenetic regulation and chromatin remodeling due to its diverse domain architectures. Recent biochemical and structural investigations reveal the MORCs' functions in chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, and transposable element repression. Here, we outline the current insights of MORC proteins in chromatin compaction, RNA-directed DNA methylation involvement, and their role in preserving chromatin structure to repress transposon activity in plants. We further discuss how MORC gene variations or misexpression influence plant epigenetic mechanisms and examine their roles in maintaining genomic stability. To further advance our understanding, we propose that the concurrent integration of advanced genomic, biochemical, and computational approaches will be vital to elucidate the molecular roles of MORC proteins in epigenetic events.