Structural and Functional Attributes of Microrchidia Family of Chromatin Remodelers

[Display omitted] •MORCs are involved in chromatin relaxation and compaction.•ATP binding is essential for MORC dimerization and catalytic function.•MORCs participate in condensates and could regulate their formation/function.•MORCs localise to cytoplasm and mitochondria and might have extra-nuclear roles.•Dysfunction/dysregulation of MORCs is linked with various diseases. Chromatin remodelers affect the spatio-temporal dynamics of global gene-expression by structurally modulating and/or reorganizing the chromatin. Microrchidia (MORC) family is a relatively new addition to the four well studied families of chromatin remodeling proteins. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the structural aspects of human MORCs as well as their epigenetic functions. From a molecular and systems-level perspective, we explore their participation in phase-separated structures, possible influence on various biological processes through protein–protein interactions, and potential extra-nuclear roles. We describe how dysregulation/dysfunction of MORCs can lead to various pathological conditions. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of undertaking integrated efforts to obtain a holistic understanding of the various biological roles of MORCs.