### TKFC Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** TKFC  
**Chromosomal Location:** Human chromosome 18  
**Gene Type:** Protein-coding gene

**Function:** The TKFC gene encodes an enzyme that is part of the dihydroxyacetone kinase family. This enzyme is involved in the phosphorylation of dihydroxyacetone and glyceraldehyde, as well as in the conversion of FAD to riboflavin 4',5'-phosphate, an important cofactor for various biochemical reactions. Additionally, TKFC has implications in the regulation of the cellular antiviral response.

### 1. Associated Genes

While there is limited information specific to genes directly associated with TKFC, it may potentially interact with or be generally linked to genes involved in:
- **Riboflavin metabolism**
- **Antiviral immune response pathways**
- Genes that encode other kinases or metabolic enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism.

Specific gene interactions or associations may require further research and validation in databases like Gene MANIA or STRING.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Research connecting TKFC with aging or age-related diseases is limited. However, given its role in nucleotide metabolism and the immune response, alterations in TKFC function could hypothetically influence:
- **Metabolic disorders:** As aging leads to metabolic dysfunction, any irregularity in kinase activity can contribute to metabolic syndromes.
- **Viral infections and immune responses:** Age-related decline in immune function may make the role of TKFC in moderating antiviral responses significant, although specific studies correlating TKFC function with age-related diseases may be sparse.

### 3. Drug Interactions

As of the last data collected (October 2023), there is no specific information regarding drug interactions involving the TKFC gene directly in standard pharmacogenomic databases. However, due to its role in metabolism and antiviral responses, it could theoretically influence or be influenced by:
- **Antiviral drugs:** Targeting mechanisms that involve the immune response.
- **Metabolic drugs:** Those that might affect broader metabolic pathways involving kinases.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes

**Biological Processes:**
- **Metabolic pathways:** Involved in carbohydrate metabolism and riboflavin metabolism.
- **Phosphorylation:** Functions in phosphorylating key substrates (dihydroxyacetone and glyceraldehyde), crucial for energy metabolism.
- **Antiviral activity regulation:** Inhibits the type I IFN-mediated antiviral response, which could have implications in the host defense mechanisms and viral clearance.

**Pathways:**
While specific KEGG or Reactome pathways directly associated with the TKFC gene may not be extensively documented, it can be inferred that it participates in:
- **Nucleotide metabolism pathways**
- **Energy metabolism**
- **Cell signaling involving kinases**

For more precise insights, further experimental studies and pathway analyses would be necessary, particularly to elucidate any related biological or pharmacological interactions.