Nuclear matrix protein which forms MORC3-NBs (nuclear bodies) via an ATP-dependent mechanism and plays a role in innate immunity by restricting different viruses through modulation of the IFN response (PubMed:27440897, PubMed:34759314). Mechanistically, possesses a primary antiviral function through a MORC3-regulated element that activates IFNB1, and this function is guarded by a secondary IFN-repressing function (PubMed:34759314). Sumoylated MORC3-NBs associates with PML-NBs and recruits TP53 and SP100, thus regulating TP53 activity (PubMed:17332504, PubMed:20501696). Binds RNA in vitro (PubMed:11927593). Histone methylation reader which binds to non-methylated (H3K4me0), monomethylated (H3K4me1), dimethylated (H3K4me2) and trimethylated (H3K4me3) ‘Lys-4’ on histone H3 (PubMed:26933034). The order of binding preference is H3K4me3 > H3K4me2 > H3K4me1 > H3K4me0 (PubMed:26933034). ; (Microbial infection) May be required for influenza A transcription during viral infection (PubMed:26202233).
