OAZ1
Description
The OAZ1 (ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
OAZ1 is a gene that encodes an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase antizyme. This enzyme plays a crucial role in controlling the production of polyamines, essential molecules involved in cell growth and division. OAZ1 works by binding to and inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase, the enzyme responsible for the first step in polyamine synthesis. The expression of OAZ1 is regulated by polyamine levels, ensuring that polyamine production is kept in check. OAZ1 also promotes the breakdown of ornithine decarboxylase, further reducing its activity.
The OAZ1 protein, also known as ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 1 (AZ1 or ODC-Az), plays a crucial role in regulating polyamine levels within cells. It functions by directly inhibiting the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the key enzyme responsible for polyamine synthesis. OAZ1 achieves this by binding to ODC monomers, preventing their assembly into functional dimers, and targeting them for degradation through the proteasome pathway. Notably, this degradation process is independent of ubiquitination. OAZ1 further enhances ODC degradation by exposing a cryptic proteasome-interacting surface on ODC. Beyond regulating ODC, OAZ1 also stabilizes another protein, AZIN2, by interfering with its ubiquitination. Additionally, OAZ1 inhibits the cellular uptake of polyamines by inactivating the responsible transporter. OAZ1 also participates in the degradation of the CREBBP/EP300 repressor SNIP1 through a complex involving SMAD1 and PSMB4. Furthermore, OAZ1 facilitates the translocation of AZIN2 from the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) to the cytosol. This protein's multifaceted activities highlight its essential role in maintaining cellular polyamine homeostasis.
OAZ1 is also known as AZ1, AZI, OAZ.
