### PIGK Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: PIGK  
**Chromosomal Location**: Human chromosome 17  

The PIGK gene encodes a member of the cysteine protease family C13 and is critical in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor biosynthesis. GPI anchors are important for attaching proteins to the cell surface, especially in blood cells. As part of the GPI transamidase complex, PIGK facilitates the transfer of GPI anchors to proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, catalyzing a specific reaction that involves replacing the C-terminal signal peptide of a protein with a pre-assembled GPI anchor.

### 1. Associated Genes
PIGK may interact with or be functionally associated with the following genes:

- **PIGA**: This gene encodes an enzyme involved in the first steps of GPI anchor biosynthesis.
- **PIGV**: Encodes an enzyme thought to play a role in the synthesis of the GPI anchor.
- **PIGM**: Involved in the biosynthesis of GPI anchors.
- **PIGF**: Related to GPI biosynthesis and may work in conjunction with PIGK and other GPI-anchored protein synthesis pathways.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Research on PIGK's role in aging or age-related diseases is still emerging, but potential associations include:

- **Cell Surface Protein Modifications**: Due to its role in GPI anchor biosynthesis, dysregulation of PIGK may impact cell signaling and communication pathways that can contribute to age-related decline in cellular functions.
- **Cancer**: Alterations in GPI-anchored proteins have been implicated in cancer; thus, PIGK may have a potential indirect role in aging-related cancer progression or susceptibility.

### 3. Drug Interactions
Currently, there is no specific profiling of drug interactions officially linked to PIGK. However, drugs that may affect GPI-anchor synthesis or associated pathways include:

- **Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors**: These drugs may impact GPI-anchored proteins with functional roles in signal transduction.
- **Cancer Therapeutics**: GPI-anchored proteins often serve as targets for cancer therapies due to their involvement in cancer cell biology.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
PIGK is involved in several important biological processes, including:

- **Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Anchor Biosynthesis**: Directly responsible for the transfer of GPI anchors to proteins.
- **Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Protein Targeting**: Plays a role in cellular localization processes by facilitating the anchoring of proteins on the cell membrane.
- **Signal Transduction**: GPI-anchored proteins involved in signal transduction pathways may be indirectly influenced by PIGK activity.

### Summary
The PIGK gene encodes a critical component of the GPI transamidase complex, mediating the anchoring of GPI to proteins and thus playing significant roles in cellular signaling and interactions. Understanding its connections to various other genes, potential aging impacts, and involvement in biochemical pathways can help elucidate its roles in health and disease. Further research could reveal more about its specific interactions and functions in multiple biological contexts.