OAZ2 (ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 2) is a negative regulator of polyamine biosynthesis that binds to ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) monomers to inhibit formation of functional ODC homodimers, thereby controlling intracellular polyamine levels 1. Unlike other antizymes, OAZ2 does not target ODC monomers for degradation, allowing protein synthesis-independent restoration of ODC activity. The protein functions through epigenetic regulation, with promoter methylation patterns and histone modifications (H3K4me3) controlling its expression 23. OAZ2 shows significant clinical relevance in cancer, with reduced expression in colon adenocarcinoma tissues correlating with poor prognosis and serving as an independent prognostic indicator 1. Overexpression of OAZ2 in colorectal cancer cells reduces proliferation and impairs migration, suggesting tumor suppressor functions. Additionally, OAZ2 mediates the ubiquitin-independent proteasome pathway that delays c-Myc degradation, contributing to angiogenic factor IL-8 regulation 4. Genetic polymorphisms in OAZ2 interact with phytoestrogen concentrations to modify gastric cancer risk, with risk alleles showing protective effects at high isoflavone levels 5. The gene also shows differential transcript expression across immune cell populations 6.