**TPM4 Gene Overview:**

**Gene Symbol:** TPM4  
**Location:** Chromosome 19  
**Description:** The TPM4 gene encodes tropomyosin 4, a member of the tropomyosin family, which plays a critical role in regulating actin filaments in both muscle and non-muscle cells. It is integral to the contractile apparatus of striated and smooth muscles, contributing to muscle contraction and maintaining cytoskeletal integrity.

### 1. Associated Genes:
While the NCBI and UniProt summaries provide a focused look at TPM4, it has associations with several other genes implicated in muscle contraction, cytoskeletal regulation, and related pathways. Some key genes include:

- **TPM1 (Tropomyosin 1):** Closely related and may share functional redundancies with TPM4.
- **ACTA (Actin Alpha Cardiac Muscle):** Interacts with tropomyosin proteins in muscle contraction.
- **MYH (Myosin Heavy Chain):** Myosins work synergistically with tropomyosins in muscle contraction.
- **TNNT (Troponin T):** Includes components of the troponin complex affecting muscle contraction in combination with tropomyosin.
- **CALD (Caldesmon):** Involved in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction alongside tropomyosin.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases:
Research indicates that the TPM4 gene may play a role in various age-related conditions, particularly those that affect muscle function and integrity. Some key observations include:

- **Sarcopenia:** Age-associated muscle degeneration has been linked to alterations in the expression of tropomyosin genes, including TPM4, which may contribute to reduced muscle mass and strength.
- **Heart Disease:** Changes in TPM4 expression may affect cardiac muscle function, potentially influencing age-related heart diseases.
- **Cancer:** Altered expression of tropomyosin proteins, including TPM4, has been noted in various cancer types. Abnormal tropomyosin expression can often affect cell motility and invasion, which are critical in cancer progression.

### 3. Drug Interactions:
While no specific drugs act exclusively on the TPM4 gene, certain drug classes and compounds may influence the pathways TPM4 is involved in, particularly those affecting muscle contraction and cytoskeletal dynamics. Examples include:

- **Calcium Channel Blockers:** Since TPM4 binds calcium and is involved in calcium-dependent muscle contraction, medications that influence calcium signaling may indirectly affect the function of TPM4.
- **Actin-Targeting Drugs (e.g., Cytochalasins, Jasplakinolide):** These affect actin filament dynamics, which may intersect with the regulatory roles of tropomyosin.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes:
TPM4 is involved in several key biological processes and signaling pathways, notably:

- **Muscle Contraction:** TPM4 is essential for the regulation of muscle contraction, particularly in cardiac and skeletal muscle due to its role in the troponin complex regulation.
- **Cytoskeletal Organization:** In non-muscle cells, TPM4 stabilizes actin filaments, contributing to the structural support of the cell.
- **Regulation of Protein Interactions:** TPM4's ability to bind to actin enhances or regulates interactions with other proteins, thereby influencing processes such as migration, adhesion, and cell division.
- **Calcium Signaling Pathway:** It plays a role in the calcium-dependent regulation of muscle contraction.

### Summary:
The TPM4 gene is a vital component of the tropomyosin family with broad implications for both muscle function and cytoskeletal integrity in non-muscle cells. Its interactions with various proteins and associations with aging and diseases underscore its importance in physiology and pathology.