### TEKT3 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** TEKT3  
**Location:** Chromosome 3 (3p21.31) in humans.  
**Gene Family:** Tektin family of proteins.

#### General Function
TEKT3 encodes a protein that is part of the tektin family, characteristic for their roles in forming filamentous structures within the ciliary and flagellar microtubules. Specifically, TEKT3 is implicated in the assembly of dynein-decorated doublet microtubules, contributing to the structural integrity of the axoneme in cilia and flagella. Its role is associated with normal sperm motility, highlighting its potential importance in male fertility.

### 1. Associated Genes
TEKT3 is part of the tektin gene family, which includes other members such as:
- **TEKT1** 
- **TEKT2**
- **TEKT4**
The precise functional associations with these genes beyond their structural similarities are not extensively documented, but they all play roles in ciliary and flagellar structure.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Currently, there is limited direct evidence linking TEKT3 specifically to aging or age-related diseases in the literature. However, as ciliary function is known to decline with age, and given that ciliary dysfunction has been associated with various age-related diseases (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases), there could be an indirect connection to aging processes through disruptions in ciliary function.

### 3. Drug Interactions
As of my last update, there are no specific drugs or drug classes reported to have direct interactions with TEKT3. Further pharmacogenomic research may explore associations between TEKT3 expression levels and responses to certain medications, especially those that target ciliary function or male fertility issues.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
TEKT3 is involved in several biological processes, primarily linked to:
- **Ciliary Assembly**: Contributing to the structural components needed for proper assembly and organization of cilia and flagella.
- **Spermatogenesis**: Essential for the formation and function of motile sperm.
- **Cilia-Related Processes**: Including signaling pathways often affected by dysfunctional cilia (e.g., Hedgehog signaling).

Given its role in microtubule stability, TEKT3 likely plays a role in cellular processes involving motility, intracellular transport, and structural integrity of cells with specialized cilia.

### Conclusion
While TEKT3 is well characterized in terms of its structural functions, ongoing research may illuminate further associations with diseases, particularly those associated with cilia. Understanding TEKT3’s role could lead to insights into cellular motility in various biological systems, including implications for fertility and potential age-related dysfunctions.