Odc1, or ornithine decarboxylase 1, is a key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, catalyzing the conversion of L-ornithine to polyamines. Polyamines are involved in multiple cellular processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration [3,4,5]. Odc1 has been linked to various biological pathways and is associated with many diseases, including cancer, neurodevelopmental disorders, and osteoporosis. Genetic models, like KO or CKO mouse models, can be valuable for studying its function.

Loss-of-function studies in some contexts have revealed important roles of Odc1. In osteoclasts, loss of Nrf2 upregulates Odc1, which decreases ornithine levels and promotes osteoclast differentiation, suggesting Odc1's role in bone-related processes [1]. In neuroblastoma, knockdown of Odc1 significantly attenuated the promotion effect of CDC27 on the proliferation, metastasis, and sphere-formation ability of NB cells, and also reversed the pro-ferroptotic effect of CDC27, indicating its role in tumorigenesis and ferroptosis regulation in this cancer type [2]. In hepatocellular carcinoma, decreasing ODC1 expression inhibits cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and induces cell cycle arrest both in vitro and in vivo, and ODC1 silencing also inhibits the growth of human HCC xenografts in nude mice, highlighting its role in cancer progression [4,5].

In conclusion, Odc1 is crucial for polyamine biosynthesis and involved in various biological processes. Model-based research, especially through KO/CKO mouse models, has shown its significance in diseases like osteoporosis, neuroblastoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding Odc1's function provides insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.