### EPHA8 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: EPHA8  
**Location**: Human Chromosome: 8q12.1  

The EPHA8 gene encodes a member of the Eph receptor family, which is a class of receptor tyrosine kinases. These receptors are crucial for cell signaling during various developmental processes, particularly within the nervous system. As a receptor for ephrin ligands such as ephrin A2, A3, and A5, EPHA8 is implicated in axon guidance and short-range cell-to-cell interactions.

### 1. Other Associated Genes
EPHA8 has known interactions with several other genes that may not have been mentioned in the summary you provided, particularly during its signaling processes and developmental functions. Some of these include:

- **FYN**: A Src family kinase involved in downstream signaling.
- **EFNA2, EFNA3, EFNA5**: Ephrin ligands that interact with EPHA8.
- **RHOA**: A small GTPase that is implicated in signaling pathways regulated by EPHA8.
- **MAPK family (e.g., MAPK1/ERK2)**: Kinases involved in promoting neurite outgrowth in response to EPHA8 signaling.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Research suggests that ephrin and Eph receptor signaling, including that of EPHA8, may play roles in neurodegenerative diseases and aging-related cognitive decline. EPHA8 has been implicated in:

- **Neurodegenerative diseases**: Dysregulations in EPHA8 signaling pathways may affect neuronal survival and the repair processes that are vital for maintaining cognitive functions during aging.
- **Cancer**: Alterations in the expression of EPHA8 have also been associated with certain malignancies, hinting at its role in tumorigenesis. This may link indirectly to aging, where cancer incidence is generally higher.

### 3. Known Drug Interactions
Currently, specific drug interactions with EPHA8 are not well characterized in the literature, but the following classes are known or hypothesized to interact indirectly:

- **Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors**: Given that EPHA8 is a receptor tyrosine kinase, it may be a target for inhibitors designed to block such receptors in cancer treatments.
- **Neuroprotective agents**: Research into restoring or modulating Eph/ephrin signaling has drawn interest in the context of neurodegenerative disease therapies.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
EPHA8 is associated with several biological pathways, including:

- **Ephrin Receptor Signaling**: Key for mediating bidirectional signaling, crucial during neuronal development.
- **Axon Guidance**: EPHA8 plays a role in directing axon growth cones during neural development.
- **Cell Adhesion**: The signaling initiated by EPHA8 influences cell adhesion processes, particularly related to integrins.
- **Neurite Outgrowth**: Enhanced neurite growth through MAPK pathways upon ephrin engagement.
- **Regulation of Cell Migration**: Particularly noted in the context of neural crest cells and other migrating cell types.

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The multifaceted role of EPHA8 in neurodevelopment and potential implications for disease underscore its significance in both basic biology and translational research.