### NAMPT Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** NAMPT  
**Location:** Chromosome 7 (7q22.1)  
**Function:** The NAMPT gene encodes nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, an enzyme critical in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). This enzyme catalyzes the condensation of nicotinamide with 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate to form nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). It acts as the rate-limiting step in the NAD biosynthesis pathway in mammals.

### Associated Genes
1. **SIRT1**: This gene encodes a NAD+-dependent deacetylase and is implicated in the regulation of cellular stress responses and metabolism. Even though it is not explicitly mentioned in the summaries, SIRT1 activity is directly linked to NAD levels, which are influenced by NAMPT.
2. **CLOCK**: NAMPT plays a role in circadian clock function by modulating NAD levels, impacting the suppression of the CLOCK-BMAL1 complex through SIRT1.
3. **BMAL1**: Another critical regulator of circadian rhythm that interacts with the metabolic pathways regulated by NAMPT.
4. **IL6**: While not directly linked in the summaries, NAMPT is known to produce cytokines, like IL-6, which are involved in inflammation and metabolic processes.

### Aging and Age-Related Diseases
- **Aging**: NAMPT has been associated with the aging process through its role in NAD biosynthesis. As organisms age, NAMPT levels and NAD production often decline, which correlates with a reduction in metabolic function, energy homeostasis, and increased oxidative stress.
- **Age-Related Diseases**: Dysfunctional NAD metabolism, associated with decreased NAMPT activity, has been implicated in various age-related diseases, including:
  - Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease)
  - Metabolic disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes)
  - Cardiovascular diseases
  - Conditions associated with chronic inflammation

### Drug and Drug Classes
- **Inhibitors/Activators of NAMPT**: While no specific drugs are universally recognized as NAMPT modulators, some compounds that are being studied include:
  - **NAMPT inhibitors**: Such as FK866 and GMX1777, which are under investigation for their potential anti-cancer effects due to their ability to lower NAD levels in cancer cells.
  - **Nicotinamide and derivatives**: Nicotinamide itself and other NAD precursors can potentially influence NAMPT activity or provide substrates for NAD synthesis.
- **Anti-diabetic agents**: Drugs like metformin may have a secondary effect on NAMPT levels through improved metabolic functions.

### Pathways and Biological Processes
1. **NAD biosynthesis**: NAMPT is a key enzyme in the salvage pathway of NAD synthesis.
2. **Circadian rhythm**: Involved in the regulation of circadian oscillations via its effect on NAD and subsequent impact on SIRT1 and CLOCK.
3. **Immune response and inflammation**: As a secreted cytokine, NAMPT is involved in modulating immune responses and may have roles in inflammation-related processes.
4. **Metabolism**: NAMPT plays a significant role in metabolic regulation and energy homeostasis, impacting pathways related to glucose and lipid metabolism.
5. **Stress response**: Participation in cellular stress responses through NAD-dependent signaling.

Overall, NAMPT is a multifaceted gene involved in critical processes that impact metabolism, aging, and circadian rhythms, with far-reaching implications in health and disease.