Function
MORC4 exhibits ATPase activity and non-specific DNA/RNA binding. It possesses endonuclease activity and is likely involved in DNA repair. A component of the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) machinery, MORC4 is essential for gene silencing and may regulate chromatin architecture to maintain this silencing. In conjunction with MORC7, it suppresses numerous non-methylated protein-coding genes, particularly those involved in pathogen response. MORC4 acts as a positive regulator of defense against the oomycete *Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis* (Hpa).