OAZ3 polyclonal antibody

The antizyme family is a group of small proteins that play a role in cell growth and division by regulating the biosynthesis of polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine and spermine. AZ3, also known as OAZ3 (Ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 3), is a 187 amino acid protein that belongs to the ODC antizyme family. AZ3 probably plays a key role in spermatogenesis by regulating the intracellular concentration of polyamines in haploid germ cells because it binds to, and destabilizes, ornithine decarboxylase. However, mutations in the AZ3 gene are not a common cause of male infertility and the normal AZ3 protein does not accelerate ornithine decarboxylase degeneration. AZ3 expression has a sharp onset in early spermatids, peaks in later stages and is gone in spermatozoa.