### ACOX3 Gene Overview

**Gene Name:** ACOX3  
**Official Name:** Acyl-Coenzyme A oxidase 3  
**Alternate Name:** Pristanoyl-CoA oxidase  
**Length:** 700 amino acids  
**Location:** Peroxisomes

**Function:** The ACOX3 gene encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of CoA-esters of 2-methyl-branched fatty acids. This reaction in the peroxisomes is crucial for the desaturation and subsequent metabolism of specialized lipids, particularly those containing branched-chain fatty acids.

### 1. Associated Genes
Some other genes associated with ACOX3, particularly through metabolic pathways or similar biological functions, include:

- **ACOX1:** Acyl-CoA oxidase 1, involved in the beta-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids and similar processes in peroxisomes. 
- **ACOX2:** Acyl-CoA oxidase 2, also participates in fatty acid metabolism.
- **EHHADH:** Enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, involved in the breakdown of long-chain fatty acids.
- **ACADL:** Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, long-chain, relevant in the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Research into ACOX3’s involvement in aging or age-related diseases is limited, but potential associations include:

- **Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders:** Defects in peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation processes (including those involving ACOX3) could contribute to metabolic syndromes common in aging.
- **Neurodegenerative Diseases:** Altered lipid metabolism has been implicated in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, which may warrant further investigation concerning ACOX3 expression patterns and functionality in aging brains.

### 3. Drug Interactions
No specific drugs or drug classes have been broadly documented to directly interact with ACOX3. However, drugs that modify lipid metabolism or influence peroxisomal functions may indirectly affect the expression or activity of ACOX3, though these interactions are not well characterized in the literature as of now. Potential areas of interest could include:

- **Fibrates:** A class of lipid-lowering medications that may impact fatty acid oxidation.
- **Statins:** Although typically associated with cholesterol metabolism, any effects on lipid profiles could intersect with ACOX3 functionality.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
ACOX3 is involved in several key biological processes and pathways, including:

- **Fatty Acid Beta-Oxidation:** ACOX3 plays a role in the oxidative degradation of fatty acids, particularly branching-chain fatty acids, within the peroxisomes, which are essential for energy production.
- **Peroxisome Function:** This gene contributes to the overall function of peroxisomes, organelles critical in lipid metabolism and cellular homeostasis.
- **Lipid Metabolism Pathways:** ACOX3 is linked to pathways of branched-chain fatty acid metabolism and may influence systemic lipid profiles and homeostasis.

### Conclusion
While the ACOX3 gene has a defined role in the metabolism of specialized fatty acids in the peroxisomes, its low expression levels in human tissues and potential regulatory mechanisms warrant deeper investigation. Associations with aging, drug interactions, and metabolic pathways highlight its relevance in bioinformatics and genetic studies, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate its full range of physiological impacts.