### CDC45 Gene Overview

The **CDC45** gene encodes a highly conserved protein essential for the initiation of chromosomal DNA replication. As mentioned, it is involved in forming the **CDC45-MCM-GINS (CMG)** complex, a critical component of the replisome, responsible for unwinding DNA during replication. The protein interacts with key replication factors, such as **MCM7** and **DNA polymerase alpha**.

### 1. Associated Genes
In addition to MCM7 and DNA polymerase alpha, the CDC45 gene has been shown to interact with several other proteins involved in DNA replication and cell cycle regulation, including:

- **CDC6:** Essential for licensing of DNA replication origins.
- **MCM2-7:** A group of proteins that form a hexameric helicase complex necessary for unwinding DNA.
- **GINS complex proteins (Sld5, Psf1, Psf2, Psf3):** Essential for both DNA replication and chromatin remodeling.
- **TOPBP1:** A regulator of DNA replication and repair that interacts with the CMG complex.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
While specific gene aging associations for CDC45 are not always abundantly characterized, its role in DNA replication suggests potential implications in aging and related diseases. Key observations include:

- **Genomic Instability:** As cells age, the accuracy of DNA replication can decline, leading to genomic instability. Mutations or dysregulation in CDC45 could contribute to this instability and play a role in the aging process.
- **Cancer:** Aberrant regulation of DNA replication genes, including CDC45, has been linked with oncogenesis. Increased expression of CDC45 has been noted in various cancers, suggesting it might contribute to tumorigenesis via enhanced proliferative capacity.

### 3. Drug Interactions
While there are no specific drugs exclusively targeting the CDC45 protein directly, several drug classes might impact pathways involving CDC45:

- **Antineoplastic Agents:** Drugs that inhibit DNA replication in cancer cells (like gemcitabine or cytarabine) may indirectly affect CDC45's function by interfering with the replication process.
- **DNA polymerase inhibitors:** Since CDC45 is involved in recruitment and stabilization of DNA polymerases during replication, drugs that inhibit DNA polymerases (like aciclovir) may have downstream effects on CDC45 function.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
The CDC45 gene is involved in various crucial biological pathways, including:

- **DNA Replication:** Specifically, it is vital during the initiation phase of DNA replication.
- **Cell Cycle Regulation:** CDC45 is integral for transitioning cells from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle.
- **Replisome Assembly and Maintenance:** CDC45 is an important player in the assembly of the replisome, the macromolecular complex that facilitates DNA replication.

Some relevant pathways include:

- **Cell Cycle Pathway:** Involvement in mechanisms regulating the progression through the cell cycle stages.
- **DNA Repair Pathways:** CDC45 may play a role in mechanisms that maintain genomic integrity through DNA repair processes.
- **Chromatin Remodeling:** Participation in processes that modify chromatin structure to allow access to the DNA replication machinery.

In summary, CDC45 is a key gene in eukaryotic DNA replication and interacts with several other critical replication factors, implicating it in processes like cell cycle regulation, genomic stability, and potentially aging and cancer development.