Details for: MORN2

Gene ID: 729967

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: MORN2

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000188010

Description: MORN repeat containing 2

Selected Context(s):  Overall

Cell Significance Landscape

Contexts:

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • ciliated epithelial cell CL0000067
    CSI 35.93
    rCSI 31.6%
    PRS 80.38
  • multi-ciliated epithelial cell CL0005012
    CSI 29.05
    rCSI 28.99%
    PRS 83.59
  • lung ciliated cell CL1000271
    CSI 27.25
    rCSI 31.5%
    PRS 83.45
  • ciliated cell CL0000064
    CSI 17.95
    rCSI 29.09%
    PRS 83.61
  • ciliated columnar cell of tracheobronchial tree CL0002145
    CSI 13.14
    rCSI 29.96%
    PRS 82.48
  • squamous epithelial cell CL0000076
    CSI 11.77
    rCSI 27.95%
    PRS 86.85
  • deuterosomal cell CL4033044
    CSI 10.72
    rCSI 36.24%
    PRS 84.53
  • ionocyte CL0005006
    CSI 8.67
    rCSI 9.29%
    PRS 90.72
  • mucus secreting cell CL0000319
    CSI 7.78
    rCSI 12.36%
    PRS 93.88
  • epithelial cell of lung CL0000082
    CSI 4.96
    rCSI 4.11%
    PRS 90.08
  • epithelial cell of lower respiratory tract CL0002632
    CSI 4.72
    rCSI 3.66%
    PRS 91.95
  • pancreatic D cell CL0000173
    CSI 4.5
    rCSI 4.43%
    PRS 90.95
  • myofibroblast cell CL0000186
    CSI 4.46
    rCSI 6.18%
    PRS 85.93
  • ependymal cell CL0000065
    CSI 4.45
    rCSI 9.02%
    PRS 71
  • fibroblast of lung CL0002553
    CSI 3.79
    rCSI 3.53%
    PRS 90.41
  • fallopian tube secretory epithelial cell CL4030006
    CSI 3.65
    rCSI 3.51%
    PRS 87.87
  • hematopoietic stem cell CL0000037
    CSI 3.57
    rCSI 2.38%
    PRS 90.92
  • neural crest cell CL0011012
    CSI 3.48
    rCSI 2.75%
    PRS 81.61
  • neuroblast (sensu Vertebrata) CL0000031
    CSI 3.44
    rCSI 4.42%
    PRS 85.79
  • stem cell CL0000034
    CSI 3.37
    rCSI 3.25%
    PRS 84.84
  • hematopoietic precursor cell CL0008001
    CSI 3.36
    rCSI 3.46%
    PRS 95.51
  • pancreatic A cell CL0000171
    CSI 3.32
    rCSI 3.48%
    PRS 91.26
  • interneuron CL0000099
    CSI 3.28
    rCSI 6.59%
    PRS 82.68
  • acinar cell CL0000622
    CSI 3.15
    rCSI 4.62%
    PRS 94.58
  • duct epithelial cell CL0000068
    CSI 3.14
    rCSI 4.6%
    PRS 92.71
  • intestinal epithelial cell CL0002563
    CSI 2.95
    rCSI 3.09%
    PRS 86.85
  • basal cell CL0000646
    CSI 2.93
    rCSI 3.92%
    PRS 86.61
  • kidney loop of Henle thin descending limb epithelial cell CL1001111
    CSI 2.93
    rCSI 4.15%
    PRS 86.75
  • nasal mucosa goblet cell CL0002480
    CSI 2.92
    rCSI 3.39%
    PRS 89.99
  • choroid plexus epithelial cell CL0000706
    CSI 2.92
    rCSI 4.78%
    PRS 81.56
  • radial glial cell CL0000681
    CSI 2.88
    rCSI 4%
    PRS 87.75
  • neuroblast (sensu Nematoda and Protostomia) CL0000338
    CSI 2.86
    rCSI 3.3%
    PRS 82.08
  • epithelial cell of proximal tubule CL0002306
    CSI 2.83
    rCSI 6.92%
    PRS 82.35
  • keratinocyte CL0000312
    CSI 2.78
    rCSI 2.33%
    PRS 89.9
  • glioblast CL0000030
    CSI 2.78
    rCSI 4.44%
    PRS 81.64
  • enteroendocrine cell CL0000164
    CSI 2.74
    rCSI 3.75%
    PRS 87.88
  • conjunctival epithelial cell CL1000432
    CSI 2.61
    rCSI 3.99%
    PRS 88.61
  • retinal rod cell CL0000604
    CSI 2.6
    rCSI 4.59%
    PRS 85.12
  • club cell CL0000158
    CSI 2.45
    rCSI 3.59%
    PRS 84.52
  • lung neuroendocrine cell CL1000223
    CSI 2.43
    rCSI 3.59%
    PRS 91.16
  • pulmonary ionocyte CL0017000
    CSI 2.42
    rCSI 2.95%
    PRS 93.1
  • chondrocyte CL0000138
    CSI 2.41
    rCSI 3.84%
    PRS 84.15
  • cerebral cortex GABAergic interneuron CL0010011
    CSI 2.4
    rCSI 7.07%
    PRS 89.51
  • retinal blood vessel endothelial cell CL0002585
    CSI 2.36
    rCSI 3.76%
    PRS 91.77
  • mesodermal cell CL0000222
    CSI 2.34
    rCSI 2.81%
    PRS 87.94
  • rod bipolar cell CL0000751
    CSI 2.31
    rCSI 4.14%
    PRS 83.96
  • peripheral nervous system neuron CL2000032
    CSI 2.3
    rCSI 3.13%
    PRS 82.59
  • mesenchymal cell CL0008019
    CSI 2.27
    rCSI 5.77%
    PRS 84.01
  • endocrine cell CL0000163
    CSI 2.19
    rCSI 11.21%
    PRS 95.83
  • kidney epithelial cell CL0002518
    CSI 2.14
    rCSI 4.09%
    PRS 96.14
  • megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor cell CL0000050
    CSI 2.09
    rCSI 1.88%
    PRS 88.14
  • kidney loop of Henle thin ascending limb epithelial cell CL1001107
    CSI 2.03
    rCSI 5.25%
    PRS 86.01
  • mucous neck cell CL0000651
    CSI 2.01
    rCSI 2.9%
    PRS 92.15
  • retinal cone cell CL0000573
    CSI 1.98
    rCSI 3.18%
    PRS 81.26
  • sst GABAergic cortical interneuron CL4023017
    CSI 1.97
    rCSI 2.55%
    PRS 76.55
  • retina horizontal cell CL0000745
    CSI 1.81
    rCSI 2.77%
    PRS 86.09
  • pancreatic ductal cell CL0002079
    CSI 1.67
    rCSI 3.25%
    PRS 90.91
  • forebrain radial glial cell CL0013000
    CSI 1.46
    rCSI 4.68%
    PRS 89.13
  • neural progenitor cell CL0011020
    CSI 1.29
    rCSI 5.67%
    PRS 78.56
  • podocyte CL0000653
    CSI 1.27
    rCSI 5.64%
    PRS 89.77
  • mammary gland epithelial cell CL0002327
    CSI 1.25
    rCSI 4.37%
    PRS 93.32
  • type B pancreatic cell CL0000169
    CSI 1.15
    rCSI 2.55%
    PRS 89.15
  • basal cell of epidermis CL0002187
    CSI 1.14
    rCSI 2.02%
    PRS 60.04
  • L6b glutamatergic cortical neuron CL4023038
    CSI 1.05
    rCSI 3.27%
    PRS 76.74
  • erythroid progenitor cell CL0000038
    CSI 0.99
    rCSI 5.68%
    PRS 91.64
  • tracheobronchial serous cell CL0019001
    CSI 0.9
    rCSI 3.9%
    PRS 91.98
  • suprabasal keratinocyte CL4033013
    CSI 0.9
    rCSI 1.47%
    PRS 59.61
  • kidney connecting tubule epithelial cell CL1000768
    CSI 0.89
    rCSI 2.25%
    PRS 82.45
  • pancreatic PP cell CL0002275
    CSI 0.81
    rCSI 3.21%
    PRS 92.82

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

Explore relationships of the current gene. Select an Interaction Source: 'ONTOLOGY' for shared pathways (GO/Reactome) or 'STRING' for protein-protein interactions. Further refine by selecting context genes and comparing Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores between baseline and target cell types and their specific contexts.

Comma-separated if multiple.
Comma-separated if multiple.
Legend:
  • Query Gene
  • Node Color (Target Cell CSI, relative to current network):
    • Very High
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low
    • Very Low
    • CSI N/A
  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
  • STRING PPI Edge
  • Shared Pathway Edge (ONTOLOGY)

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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) (MORN Repeat Containing 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 2p22.1. It is characterized by the presence of MORN (Membrane Occupation and Recognition Nexus) motifs, which are typically involved in protein-protein interactions and lipid binding. Functionally, [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) is associated with biological processes such as '[cell differentiation](/details-go/GO:0030154)' and '[spermatogenesis](/details-go/GO:0007283)'. **Overall**, expression data reveals that [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) is a highly significant marker for various types of ciliated epithelial cells, suggesting a primary role in the development, structure, or function of cilia, particularly within the respiratory system. ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) highlights its prominent role in specialized epithelial cell populations. **Overall**, the gene shows the highest significance in cells defined by the presence of cilia, including '[ciliated epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000067)' (CSI: 35.93), '[multi-ciliated epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0005012)' (CSI: 29.05), and '[lung ciliated cell](/details-cell/CL1000271)' (CSI: 27.25). Its high significance in '[deuterosomal cell](/details-cell/CL4033044)' (CSI: 10.72), a known precursor to multi-ciliated cells, suggests a role in the early stages of ciliogenesis. Beyond the ciliated lineage, [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) also shows moderate significance in other epithelial cell types of the respiratory tract, such as '[squamous epithelial cell](/details-cell/CL0000076)', '[ionocyte](/details-cell/CL0005006)', and '[mucus secreting cell](/details-cell/CL0000319)'. This pattern indicates a broad involvement in maintaining the epithelial landscape of tissues like the lung. While its primary role appears to be in somatic ciliated cells, its annotation in '[spermatogenesis](/details-go/GO:0007283)' and localization to the '[acrosomal vesicle](/details-go/GO:0001669)' is supported by research identifying its expression in the testis, suggesting a distinct function in male germ cell development ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.09.010)). ## Pathways and Molecular Function The functional annotations for [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) align with its observed cellular expression pattern. Its involvement in '[cell differentiation](/details-go/GO:0030154)' is consistent with its high expression in progenitor cells like '[deuterosomal cell](/details-cell/CL4033044)' that are undergoing differentiation into mature multi-ciliated cells. The gene's general molecular function is described as '[protein binding](/details-go/GO:0005515)', which is characteristic of MORN repeat-containing proteins and suggests it acts as a scaffold or adaptor protein within cellular complexes. The connection to '[spermatogenesis](/details-go/GO:0007283)' and the '[acrosomal vesicle](/details-go/GO:0001669)' component of sperm cells points to a specialized role in male fertility. Research has confirmed its expression in testis, implying that [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) may be a component of the machinery required for proper sperm maturation and function ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.09.010)). Its localization to the '[nucleus](/details-go/GO:0005634)' suggests it may also have roles in regulating gene expression or other nuclear processes in certain cellular contexts. ## Research Directions The specific and high-level expression of [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) in ciliated cells and its annotations related to spermatogenesis suggest several avenues for future investigation. **Proposed Hypotheses:** 1. **[MORN2](/details-gene/729967) is essential for the late stages of multiciliogenesis and the maintenance of ciliary function in respiratory epithelial cells.** Disruption of [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) function may lead to primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)-like syndromes characterized by impaired mucociliary clearance. 2. **[MORN2](/details-gene/729967) plays a critical role in acrosome biogenesis or the acrosome reaction during spermatogenesis.** Consequently, mutations or loss of function in [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) could be a contributing factor to certain forms of male infertility. **Experimental Approach:** To test the hypothesis regarding its role in respiratory cilia, a robust *in vitro* model could be employed. Specifically, one could use CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) in primary human bronchial epithelial cells. These cells would then be cultured at an air-liquid interface (ALI) to induce differentiation into a mucociliary epithelium. The impact of the knockout could be assessed by quantifying the number of multi-ciliated cells via immunofluorescence staining for ciliary markers (e.g., acetylated α-tubulin), analyzing ciliary ultrastructure with transmission electron microscopy, and measuring ciliary beat frequency using high-speed video microscopy. **Therapeutic Potential:** Given its highly specific expression in ciliated epithelial cells, [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) is unlikely to be a target for broad-acting inhibitors in common diseases like cancer or inflammation. However, if mutations in [MORN2](/details-gene/729967) are identified as a cause of monogenic disorders such as ciliopathies or male infertility, it could become a key diagnostic marker. Furthermore, its restricted expression pattern makes it a potentially safe target for gene therapy approaches aimed at restoring function in affected cell types without causing widespread off-target effects.

Genular Protein ID: 782585649

Symbol: MORN2_HUMAN

Name: N/A

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

Q502X0 Q6UL00

Database IDs:

AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 Bgee 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CTD 1 ChiTaRS 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 EMBL 5 Ensembl 2 ExpressionAtlas 1 GO 4 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GenomeRNAi 1 HGNC 1 HOGENOM 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 2 KEGG 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OMA 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PRO 1 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhosphoSitePlus 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 ProteomicsDB 1 RNAct 1 RefSeq 1 SMART 1 SMR 1 STRING 1 SUPFAM 1 SignaLink 1 TreeFam 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 iPTMnet 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 19913896

Title: Identification and characterization of a novel mouse and human MOPT gene containing MORN-motif protein in testis.

PubMed ID: 19913896

DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.09.010

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 79
  • Mass: 8939
  • Checksum: 93D0A55736E956FA
  • Sequence:
    • MNGFGRLEHF SGAVYEGQFK DNMFHGLGTY TFPNGAKYTG NFNENRVEGE GEYTDIQGLE 
WSGNFHFTAA PDLKLKLHM