### NCKAP1L Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** NCKAP1L  
**Official Name:** NCK-associated protein 1-like  
**Location:** Chromosome 17 (17q21.31)  
**Feature:** Protein-coding gene

#### Functional Summary:
The NCKAP1L gene plays a crucial role in hematopoietic systems, being expressed specifically in hematopoietic cells. It encodes a protein that is part of the Scar/WAVE complex, which is instrumental in regulating the actin cytoskeleton, thereby influencing important cellular processes like lymphocyte development, activation, migration, and phagocytosis.

#### 1. Associated Genes:
While the summaries provided do not specify other directly associated genes, NCKAP1L is functionally linked through the WAVE2 complex with the following:
- **WAVE2 (WASF2)**: Main protein in the complex.
- **RAC1/RAC2**: Rho GTPases that activate the WAVE complex, leading to actin polymerization.
- **AKT** (specifically in relation to mTORC2 signaling in T-cells).
- **Other HEM family members**: These include NCKAP1 and other related proteins involved in similar pathways.

#### 2. Aging and Age-related Disease Associations:
There is currently limited specific research directly associating NCKAP1L with aging or age-related diseases. However, given its role in immune cell function and the importance of immune responses in aging (immunosenescence), dysregulation of NCKAP1L may be indirectly related to the aging process. Some potential areas of interest include:
- Loss of lymphocyte function and altered cytokine production in aging.
- Potential ties to age-related inflammatory diseases due to its role in phagocytosis and macrophage migration.

#### 3. Drug Interactions:
There are no specific drugs or drug classes universally recognized as interacting directly with NCKAP1L. However, drugs targeting:
- **Immune response modulation** (e.g., cytokine inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors) might indirectly influence pathways involving NCKAP1L through its role in T-cell activation and proliferation. 

#### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes:
NCKAP1L is involved in several critical biological pathways and processes:
- **Actin Cytoskeleton Dynamics**: Crucial for maintaining the structure and function of immune cells during migration and signaling.
- **Immune Response**: Contributes to the development and function of T-lymphocytes and macrophages.
- **Cellular Signaling Pathways**: Involvement in RAC signaling leading to actin polymerization.
- **Cytokine Production**: Influences the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-2 and TNF-alpha, essential for immune responses.

#### Conclusion:
While further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles of NCKAP1L in aging and pharmacological interactions, its significance in hematopoietic functions and cytoskeletal dynamics marks it as a noteworthy gene in immunology and cellular regulation.