The members of the mortality factor family include mortality factor 4 (MORF4), MORF4L1 (also known as MRG15) and MORF4-related gene X (MRGX). The human MORF4 gene maps to chromosome 4q33-q34.1. MORF4 induces a senescent-like phenotype in complementation group B immortal cell lines. The genes encoding MRG15 and MRGX map to chromosomes 15q24 and Xq22, respectively. MORF4, MORF4L1 and MRGX each contain a C-terminal leucine zipper. An association between MORF4L1, Rb (retinoblastoma tumor suppressor) and PAM14 (protein associated with MORF4L1) suggests a role for MORF4L1 in transcription regulation. MORF4L1 also associates with the histone acetyl transferase MOF. In addition, MORF4 and MRGX interact with mSin3A and TLE (transducin-like enhancer of split). The MORF/ mSin3A/TLE association may repress transcription. In Purkinje cells, MORF4L1 localizes to the dendrites and the nuclei.
