### DACT3 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** DACT3  
**Location:** Located on chromosome 20 in humans.  
**Alternative Names:** Dapper homolog 3, Dapper3. 

#### 1. Associated Genes
The DACT3 gene has been reported to interact with several other genes and proteins involved in various pathways. Notable associations include:
- **DSH family genes:** Such as DVL1, DVL2, and DVL3 (Dishevelled proteins), which are crucial in the Wnt signaling pathway.
- **Wnt signaling pathway components:** This includes interactions with other regulators of the pathway such as Axin, β-catenin (CTNNB1), and APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli).
- **Cell signaling molecules:** Including those involved in the PKC and PKA signaling pathways, potentially interacting with various kinases and phosphatases.

#### 2. Aging and Age-related Diseases
Research has suggested that alterations in Wnt signaling pathways, in which DACT3 is involved, can have implications for aging and age-related diseases. Specifically:
- **Cancer:** DACT3's role in the negative regulation of canonical Wnt signaling suggests it may play a role in tumorigenesis. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling is a common feature in various cancers.
- **Developmental disorders:** Disruption of Wnt signaling during development can lead to defects that might manifest later in life or may predispose individuals to age-related degenerative conditions.
- **Cardiovascular Diseases:** Changes in cell growth and regulatory pathways mediated by DACT3 could be implicated in age-related cardiovascular diseases due to cellular senescence and impaired signaling.

#### 3. Drug Interactions
While specific drugs that directly target DACT3 are not well established, given its role in signaling pathways, drugs targeting the broader Wnt/β-catenin pathway may indirectly affect its function. Classes of drugs that could plausibly interact include:
- **Wnt signaling inhibitors:** Such as ICG-001 and XAV939, which target components of the Wnt pathway that DACT3 interacts with.
- **Kinase inhibitors:** Since DACT3 has binding activities with protein kinase A and C, inhibitors targeting these kinases could hypothetically influence its function as well.

#### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
DACT3 is involved in several critical biological pathways and processes:
- **Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway:** As a negative regulator, DACT3 interacts with dishevelled family proteins to modulate β-catenin activity.
- **Cell Growth Regulation:** The gene is implicated in processes that regulate cell proliferation and growth, influencing cellular responses to signaling cascades.
- **Developmental Processes:** DACT3 is thought to play a significant role during embryonic development, particularly in the formation of various tissues and organs through its signaling interactions.
- **Intracellular Signaling:** It is involved in various intracellular signaling mechanisms, contributing to the response to extracellular cues.

Given the multifaceted role of DACT3 in signaling pathways and cellular regulation, understanding its function further could illuminate its potential implications in both normal physiology and in the context of diseases associated with aging and development.