### Gene Summary: ABHD17A

**Gene Symbol:** ABHD17A  
**Enzyme Activity:** Palmitoyl-(protein) hydrolase activity  
**Functions:** Involved in depalmitoylation of proteins and their localization to membranes. Specifically hydrolyzes fatty acids from S-acylated cysteine residues in proteins, which is crucial for regulating protein function and localization.

### 1. Related Genes
While the NCBI and UniProt summaries primarily highlight NRAS, DLG4/PSD95, and MAP6 as substrates for ABHD17A, it is implicated in signaling pathways that could relate to other genes involved in membrane dynamics and signaling processes. Some additional genes associated with ABHD17A through related pathways and gene interaction databases may include:

- **RHOA**: Regulates various cellular processes and may interact indirectly via shared signaling pathways.
- **HRAS** and **KRAS**: Other members of the RAS family that may share pathways or processes.
- **GAPDH**: In metabolic processes, it may interact with ABHD17A due to overlapping roles in cellular metabolism and signaling.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
ABHD17A is mapped to studies suggesting a potential role in age-related cellular processes, particularly in terms of protein modification and membrane dynamics.

- **Neurodegeneration**: Given that ABHD17A has depalmitoylating activity towards neuronal proteins like PSD95 (DLG4), alterations in its function may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, where membrane dynamics and protein localization are disrupted.
- **Cancer**: As ABHD17A acts on RAS proteins, deregulation may influence oncogenic processes and tumor progression, especially during aging when cancer incidence grows.

### 3. Drug Interactions
Specific drugs that directly interact with ABHD17A are not well characterized. However, the enzyme's activity on signaling proteins like NRAS suggests that some cancer therapeutics aimed at RAS signaling may indirectly influence ABHD17A's function. Potential avenues include:

- **Inhibitors targeting RAS signaling**: Such as MEK inhibitors, though they do not directly target ABHD17A, effects on RAS may cascade effects on its activity.
- **Fatty acid metabolism modulators**: While not directly interacting, drugs affecting lipid metabolism could influence the substrate availability for ABHD17A activity.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
ABHD17A is implicated in several important pathways and biological processes:

- **Protein palmitoylation and depalmitoylation**: A core function that regulates protein interactions, localization, and signaling.
- **Endosomal trafficking**: Implicated in the sorting and processing of membrane-bound proteins.
- **Ras Signaling Pathway**: Involved in cell growth and differentiation, impacting both normal cellular function and cancer biology.
- **Synaptic Transmission**: Associated indirectly via its action on PSD95, ABHD17A may influence synaptic plasticity and maintenance of neural circuits.
  
Overall, ABHD17A is a critical player in post-translational modifications of proteins, with implications in cellular signaling and potential impacts on aging and various diseases. Further research could elucidate more specific roles in these contexts.