USP25 and 28 inhibitor AZ-1 is primarily used in biochemical and pharmacological research to study the role of deubiquitinating enzymes USP25 and USP28 in cellular processes. It serves as a selective inhibitor that modulates the activity of these enzymes, which are involved in regulating protein stability, DNA damage response, and immune signaling pathways. By inhibiting USP25 and USP28, AZ-1 helps researchers investigate pathways linked to cancer progression, particularly in models of MYC-driven or Wnt/β-catenin-associated tumors. It has also been applied in studies exploring inflammatory responses and viral infection mechanisms, where USP25 plays a regulatory role. Due to its ability to enhance the degradation of oncoproteins, AZ-1 is considered a tool compound for validating USP25 and USP28 as potential therapeutic targets in oncology and immune-related diseases.