Ornithine Decarboxylase Antizyme 1 (OAZ1)

Ornithine decarboxylase catalyzes the conversion of ornithine to putrescine in the first and apparently rate-limiting step in polyamine biosynthesis. The ornithine decarboxylase antizymes play a role in the regulation of polyamine synthesis by binding to and inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase. Antizyme expression is auto-regulated by polyamine-enhanced translational frameshifting.

Ornithine decarboxylase antizyme inhibits ornithine decarboxylase and accelerates its degradation.Binds to, and destabilizes, ornithine decarboxylase which is then degraded. Also inhibits cellular uptake of polyamines by inactivating the polyamine uptake transporter.