MORC2 restriction factor silences HIV proviral expression

The HUSH complex (composed of TASOR, MPP8 and periphilin) represses HIV-1 expression from its promoter by inducing both propagation of repressive epigenetic marks and degradation of the nascent transcript. Vpx from HIV-2, and Vpr proteins from some simian lentiviruses (SIVs), antagonize HUSH, thereby increasing proviral expression. The chromatin-remodelling MORC2 protein plays a critical role in the epigenetic silencing of host genes by HUSH. Here, we deciphered the role of MORC2 in retroviral silencing. We show that MORC2, in contrast to HUSH components, presents strong signatures of positive selection during primate evolution. Like HUSH, MORC2 represses proviral expression in two models of HIV-1 latency. However, while HUSH is degraded upon HIV-2 infection in a Vpx-dependent manner, MORC2 levels are increased, raising the question of a feedback control mechanism without HUSH. Upon infection with an HIV-1-derived virus, MORC2 and TASOR antiviral effects are interdependent. However, once the lentiviral DNA is integrated into the host genome, MORC2 may maintain the repression independently of HUSH. At the post-transcriptional level, both MORC2 and HUSH act in association with CNOT1 of the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex and the TRAMP-like PAXT complex. Finally, MORC2, but not HUSH components, is expressed in primary quiescent CD4+ T cells. Altogether, our data highlight MORC2 as an HIV restriction factor and a chromatin remodelling protein operating both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. We speculate that MORC2 could serve as an immune gatekeeper following HUSH inactivation by Vpx and contribute to the maintenance of retroviral silencing in reservoir CD4+ T cells. Significance statementOne hurdle to HIV eradication is viral latency, which refers to the persistence of the virus in reservoir cells despite antiretroviral treatment. The HUSH complex represses HIV expression, once the viral genome is integrated into the host genome. HUSH activity on host genes depends on MORC2, a protein incriminated in the Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuronal disease. Here, we first show that MORC2 presents signs of evolutionary arms-races in primates. Furthermore, MORC2 contributes to HIV silencing in cooperation with HUSH, but also, likely without HUSH. Despite identified as a chromatin remodeler, MORC2 also works at a post-transcriptional level. Altogether, MORC2 appears as a host defense factor, which plays a role in HIV latency.