### CFL1 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: CFL1  
**Official Name**: Cofilin 1  
**Location**: Found on chromosome 11 (11q13.4) in humans.  
**Function**: The CFL1 gene encodes for the protein cofilin, which is crucial for actin dynamics—binding to F-actin and facilitating its depolymerization in a pH-sensitive manner. This gene plays a significant role in zygote development, cytoskeletal organization, and cellular behavior.

### 1. Associated Genes
CFL1 has been implicated in regulatory networks alongside various other genes, including but not limited to:
- **ACTA1**: Actin alpha cardiac muscle 1
- **ACTB**: Actin beta
- **VCL**: Vinculin
- **RHOA**: Ras homolog family member A, which is involved in regulating the actin cytoskeleton.
- **ARP2/3 complex components (e.g., ARPC1A)**: Associated with actin nucleation.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
While specific studies directly linking CFL1 to aging are limited, alterations in actin dynamics, including those mediated by CFL1, have been associated with cellular senescence and age-related cellular dysfunction. Dysregulation of cytoskeletal dynamics has implications in conditions such as:
- **Muscle atrophy**: Changes in CFL1 expression may affect muscle structure and regeneration.
- **Neurodegenerative diseases**: Cofilin activity and localization can impact neuronal integrity; its dysregulation has been implicated in diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease.

### 3. Drug Interactions
The role of CFL1 in cytoskeletal dynamics makes it a potential target for drugs affecting actin polymerization. Known interactions include:
- **Cytoskeletal disruptors**: Drugs such as cytochalasins, which inhibit actin polymerization, can indirectly affect CFL1's function.
- **Pharmacological agents that target Rho GTPases**: Since CFL1 interacts with pathways regulated by RHOA, drugs affecting Rho GTPase signaling may have downstream effects on CFL1 activities.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
CFL1 is involved in several critical biological processes and pathways, including:
- **Actin cytoskeleton organization**: Key in regulating the structure and integrity of cellular frameworks.
- **Cell motility and migration**: Influencing how cells move, particularly during processes like neural crest migration and morphogenesis.
- **Cell division**: Important for the centralization of the mitotic spindle during zygote divisions.
- **Signal transduction**: Involved in processes that mediate communication within cells concerning growth factors and chemokines.
- **Neural development**: Crucial in the formation of the neural tube and subsequent neurological structures.

### Conclusion
The CFL1 gene is essential for actin dynamics, playing vital roles in cellular processes including development and cytoskeletal regulation. Ongoing research elucidates its associations with other genes, aging implications, potential drug interactions, and specific biological pathways, underlining its significance in both normal physiology and various diseases.