OAZ3
Chr 1ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 3
Also known as: AZ3, OAZ-t, TISP15
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the ornithine decarboxylase antizyme family, which plays a role in cell growth and proliferation by regulating intracellular polyamine levels. Expression of antizymes requires +1 ribosomal frameshifting, which is enhanced by high levels of polyamines. Antizymes in turn bind to and inhibit ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis; thus, completing the auto-regulatory circuit. This gene encodes antizyme 3, the third member of the antizyme family. Like antizymes 1 and 2, antizyme 3 inhibits ODC activity and polyamine uptake; however, it does not stimulate ODC degradation. Also, while antizymes 1 and 2 have broad tissue distribution, expression of antizyme 3 is restricted to haploid germ cells in testis, suggesting a distinct role for this antizyme in spermiogenesis. Antizyme 3 gene knockout studies showed that homozygous mutant male mice were infertile, and indicated the likely role of this antizyme in the formation of a rigid connection between the sperm head and tail during spermatogenesis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms, including one resulting from the use of non-AUG (CUG) translation initiation codon, have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2014]
Population Genetics & Constraint
gnomAD v4 — loss-of-function & missense intolerance
Highly tolerant — LoF variants common in population
Mild missense constraint
ClinVar Variant Classifications
41 submitted variants in ClinVar
Classification Summary
Curated Variants Distribution
Classified variants from ClinVar · 5 ACMG categories
| Classification | LoF | Missense + Inframe | Non-coding | Synonymous | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pathogenic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Likely Pathogenic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
VUS | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Likely Benign | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Benign | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
LoF = frameshift, stop gained/lost, canonical splice · Counts from ClinVar esearch · Updated hourly
View in ClinVar →12 pathogenic / likely-pathogenic (of 14) ClinVar copy-number / structural variants overlap OAZ3 — these span large chromosomal regions, not the gene specifically, and are excluded from the counts above. Explore in CNV tools →
Protein Context — Lollipop Plot
OAZ3 · protein map & ClinVar variants
Showing all ClinVar variants across the protein. Search a specific variant to highlight its position.
External Resources
Links to major genomics databases and tools
Clinical Trials
Active and recruiting trials from ClinicalTrials.gov
No active trials found for this gene.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov →External Resources
Links to major genomics databases and tools