### KMT2C Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** KMT2C  
**Location:** Chromosome 7 (7q36.1)  
**Function:** KMT2C is part of the myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) family and functions as a histone methyltransferase. It specifically catalyzes the methylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4), forming trimethylated H3K4 marks associated with active transcription and chromatin remodeling.

### 1. Associated Genes
KMT2C has been associated with several other genes, including but not limited to:
- **KMT2D**: Shares overlapping functions in histone methylation and coactivation of transcription. Both proteins are implicated in the regulation of enhancer element activity.
- **SETD1A**: Another histone methyltransferase involved in H3K4 methylation.
- Genes involved in the same chromatin remodeling complexes, such as **ASH2L**, **WDR5**, and **RBBP5**, as well as members of the ASCOM complex.
- Tumor suppressor genes (e.g., **TP53**) due to its involvement in cancer-related pathways.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
KMT2C has been implicated in various age-related conditions and processes: 
- **Cancer:** Mutations or loss of function of KMT2C are observed in several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer and gliomas. The disruption of histone methylation patterns may lead to abnormal gene expression associated with tumorigenesis.
- **Neurodegenerative Diseases:** Alterations in chromatin structure and function are known to contribute to neurodegenerative conditions, and KMT2C may play a role in the epigenetic regulation of genes related to neuroprotection and cognitive functions.
- **Cellular Senescence:** As part of chromatin remodeling, KMT2C might impact the processes of cellular aging, although direct studies on KMT2C’s role in senescence are limited.

### 3. Drug Interactions
Currently, there are no specific drugs or drug classes exclusively targeting KMT2C. However, it is worth mentioning:
- **Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDACi):** These compounds can impact chromatin modifications indirectly influencing the activity of KMT2C by altering overall histone modification states.
- **Small Molecule Inhibitors:** Research continues into compounds that could inhibit histone methyltransferases, although KMT2C-specific inhibitors remain an area for future drug development.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
KMT2C plays a crucial role in several biological processes and pathways:
- **Transcription Regulation:** KMT2C is central to the transcriptional coactivation process, positively regulating the expression of genes involved in developmental and cellular functions.
- **Chromatin Modification:** It is involved in the modification of histones (specifically via H3K4 methylation), contributing to chromatin structure and accessibility during DNA replication and repair.
- **Developmental Processes:** Due to its regulation of enhancers and promoters, KMT2C influences various developmental pathways.
- **DNA Repair:** Enhanced presence of marks like H3K4me1 at sites of active DNA repair suggests a role in maintaining genomic stability.

**Summary:** The KMT2C gene is crucial for epigenetic regulation, particularly in histone methylation and gene expression, and its dysfunction is linked to cancer and possibly age-related diseases. Further studies may provide comprehensive insights into its therapeutic targeting and role in aging.