### CENPE Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** CENPE  
**Gene Name:** Centrosome-associated protein E  
**Location:** Chromosomal location can vary, but in humans, CENPE is located on chromosome 8 (specifically 8p21).  
**Function:** CENPE is a kinesin-like motor protein that plays a critical role during the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, particularly in prometaphase of mitosis. It is essential for proper chromosome congression, stabilization of microtubule-kinetochore attachments, and activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC).

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### 1. Associated Genes

CENPE is known to interact with several other proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and kinetochore function, some of which include:
- **BUB1B**: A serine/threonine-protein kinase that is crucial for the SAC and is involved in the regulation of mitosis.
- **MAD1** and **MAD2**: Important components of the spindle assembly checkpoint that ensure proper chromosome separation.
- **NDC80**: A key component of the outer kinetochore complex that directly interacts with microtubules for securing chromosome alignment and stability during mitosis.

Additional gene interactions can include proteins involved in microtubule dynamics and chromosome organization, though specific genes may vary based on context and cellular conditions.

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### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases 

While specific studies explicitly linking CENPE to aging or age-related diseases may be limited, there is a general understanding of its role in maintaining genomic stability. Disruptions in mitosis and kinetochore function can lead to:
- **Aneuploidy**: This condition, characterized by an abnormal number of chromosomes, is associated with various age-related diseases, including cancer. It is speculated that as cells age, the efficiency of mitotic processes may be compromised, potentially implicating proteins like CENPE.
- **Cancer**: Abnormal expression or mutations in CENPE have been observed in some cancers, which may relate to mechanisms of tumorigenesis and the progression of age-related neoplastic changes.

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### 3. Known Drug Interactions

Currently, there is limited direct evidence for specific drugs that target CENPE. However, various classes of drugs and compounds that affect microtubule dynamics and cell division may indirectly influence CENPE function. Examples include:
- **Taxanes (e.g., Paclitaxel)**: These are microtubule-stabilizing agents used in cancer therapy, and by stabilizing microtubules, may indirectly modulate the function of kinetochores and proteins like CENPE.
- **Vinca Alkaloids (e.g., Vincristine)**: These drugs destabilize microtubules and could affect the mechanistic roles of motor proteins including CENPE.

Moreover, any research involving CENPE and pharmacological interactions is an emerging field, and future studies may provide more specific interactions.

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### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes

CENPE is involved in several critical biological processes and signaling pathways, including:

- **Cell Cycle Regulation**: Critical for the transition from the G2 phase to mitosis, particularly in the alignment and segregation of chromosomes.
- **Mitotic Spindle Assembly and Function**: Facilitates the proper assembly of the spindle apparatus, crucial for accurate chromosome separation.
- **Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC)**: Plays a role in monitoring chromosome attachment to spindle microtubules and preventing premature anaphase onset.
- **Chromosome Alignment and Congression**: Ensures that chromosomes are correctly aligned at the metaphase plate, essential for proper cell division.

Understanding these processes is vital for the study of cell biology, cancer research, and the implications of aging on genomic integrity. 

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This overview highlights the significance of CENPE in cellular functions and its potential implications in health and disease, emphasizing the need for continued research in this area.