### CCDC96 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: CCDC96  
**Function**: The CCDC96 gene is predicted to be involved in cilium assembly, particularly associated with axonemes and ciliary basal bodies. Cilia play crucial roles in various cellular processes, including signaling and movement, making this gene critical for proper cellular function.

### 1. Associated Genes
While the specifics of associated genes may vary, CCDC96 has potential functional relationships with the following genes known for their involvement in cilium biology and related processes:
- **IFT88**: Involved in intraflagellar transport, essential for cilium assembly.
- **KIF3A & KIF3B**: Motor proteins that transport materials along ciliary axonemes.
- **CCDC40**: Another coiled-coil domain-containing protein implicated in ciliary structure.
- **DYNC2H1**: A dynein involved in cytoskeletal transport related to ciliary function.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Currently, detailed direct associations of CCDC96 with aging or age-related diseases are less established. However, disruptions in ciliary function, potentially implicating CCDC96, have been linked to various age-related conditions such as:
- **Ciliopathies**: Disorders caused by malfunctioning cilia, which can manifest more prominently with age.
- **Neurodegenerative diseases**: Perturbations in ciliary function may have implications in aging-related neurodegeneration, demonstrating relevance despite limited direct literature on CCDC96.

### 3. Drug Interactions
As of the latest available data, there are no specific drugs or drug classes directly reported to interact with the CCDC96 gene. However, given its role in cilium assembly, drugs targeting ciliary functions or related pathways (such as those aimed at cancer or other ciliopathies) could have indirect effects on pathways involving CCDC96.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
CCDC96 is involved in several biological processes, including:
- **Cilium assembly**: Essential for the biogenesis of cilia, impacting numerous cellular functions related to motility and signaling.
- **Spermatogenesis**: Potential role indicated by its expression in testis and involvement in the assembly of structures necessary for male fertility.
- **Intraflagellar transport**: Indirectly suggests participation in the dynamic transport processes that facilitate ciliary function.

**Key Pathways**:
- **Ciliary signaling pathways**: Involvement in signaling cascades dependent on ciliary presence and function.
- **RNA splicing and gene transcription**: Potentially linked through the assembly of structural components of cilia.

### Summary
CCDC96 is a gene essential for ciliary assembly, with associations with several other genes involved in ciliary structure and function. Although research specifically connecting CCDC96 with aging and diseases is limited, its role in cilia suggests implications in age-related conditions. Currently, specifics on drug interactions remain scarce, but the pathways and biological processes related to CCDC96 are indicative of its importance in cellular function. The intricate relationship of this gene with cilia underlines the significance of continued research to better understand its roles in health and disease.

For the latest research updates and specific experimental details, databases such as NCBI Gene or UniProt should be regularly consulted, as new findings may have emerged since this summary.