### EXOSC8 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** EXOSC8  
**Location:** Chromosome 10  
**Function:** Encodes a component of the RNA exosome complex with 3'-5' exoribonuclease activity involved in RNA processing, degradation, and quality control.

### 1. Associated Genes
Beyond the information provided, EXOSC8 is known to interact with several other components of the exosome complex, including:
- **EXOSC3**: Another core component of the RNA exosome complex.
- **EXOSC4**: Part of the RNA exosome, which is crucial for RNA processing and degradation.
- **EXOSC5**: Involved in RNA metabolism and quality control.
- **EXOSC7**: Associates with the RNA exosome and helps mediate stability and function of the complex.
- Additional regulatory proteins potentially involved in mRNA decay pathways and RNA surveillance mechanisms.

### 2. Association with Aging and Age-Related Diseases
There is growing evidence that dysregulation of RNA metabolism is linked to aging and age-related diseases:
- **Cancer**: Alterations in RNA decay and exosome functions have been implicated in oncogenesis and tumor progression.
- **Neurodegenerative Diseases**: Impaired RNA processing and quality control, including that involving the exosome complex, may contribute to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, where the clearance of misfolded RNAs and proteins is critical.
- **Cellular Senescence**: RNA metabolism changes, including the accumulation of defective mRNAs, can drive the senescent phenotype, linking EXOSC8 function to age-related decline.

### 3. Drug Interactions
While no specific drugs target EXOSC8 directly, several classes of drugs that affect RNA metabolism could indirectly influence its activity:
- **Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs)**: These therapeutic agents may modulate RNA processing and could potentially interact with the exosome complex broadly by altering RNA substrate levels.
- **Nuclear Export Inhibitors**: Such as Leptomycin B, impact mRNA export and therefore might indirectly influence the processing or degradation of transcripts associated with EXOSC8.
- **Small Molecule Inhibitors**: General RNA polymerase inhibitors could impact downstream processes that involve EXOSC8.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
EXOSC8 is involved in several critical pathways and biological processes, including:
- **RNA Metabolism**: Major roles in RNA processing, turnover, and quality control.
- **mRNA Degradation**: Specifically targets unstable mRNAs with AU-rich elements for decay, regulating mRNA stability and expression levels.
- **Nuclear RNA Surveillance Pathway**: Involved in identifying and degrading defective RNA species to maintain cellular RNA integrity.
- **Regulation of Gene Expression**: Plays a role in the regulation of gene expression through mRNA turnover and stability.
- **Immune Responses**: In the context of Ig class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation, regulating immune response at the RNA level.
- **Cell Cycle Regulation**: Potential involvement in RNA processes that affect cell proliferation and response to DNA damage.

### Conclusion
Overall, the EXOSC8 gene plays a pivotal role in RNA metabolism and quality control through its function in the exosome complex. Its interactions, implications in age-related diseases, and associations with other regulatory pathways underscore its importance in cellular homeostasis and potential therapeutic targets.