### CEP76 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: CEP76  
**Description**: The CEP76 gene encodes a centrosomal protein that plays a crucial role in regulating centriole duplication within the cell cycle. The primary function of the CEP76 protein is to limit centriole duplication, ensuring that it occurs only once per cell cycle, thereby preventing centriole reduplication. Alternative splicing of this gene allows for the generation of multiple transcript variants.

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### 1. Associated Genes
CEP76 has been studied in connection with various genes involved in centrosome function and cell cycle regulation. Notable associated genes include:

- **CEP63**: Another centrosomal protein involved in centriole biogenesis.
- **AURKA**: Aurora kinase A, which has a role in cell cycle regulation and mitosis.
- **PLK4**: Polo-like kinase 4, implicated in centriole duplication.
- **TPX2**: A protein necessary for microtubule formation that is related to Aurora A and centrioles.
- **CDK2**: Cyclin-dependent kinase 2, a key regulator of the cell cycle that has interactions with centriole duplication processes.

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### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
While there might not be extensive direct studies linking CEP76 to aging or age-related diseases, disruption of normal centriole duplication processes is often associated with:

- **Cancer**: Aberrant centriole duplication can lead to aneuploidy and genomic instability, which are hallmarks of cancer.
- **Microcephaly and Developmental Disorders**: Mutations in centrosomal proteins, including CEP76, have been implicated in neural development disorders.
- **Senescence**: Altered cell cycle regulation through centrosome dysfunction may contribute to cellular senescence, which is associated with aging.

Research into the manipulation of centriole duplication related to CEP76 could provide insights into therapies for age-associated diseases, emphasizing the importance of proper centrosomal function across the lifespan.

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### 3. Drug Interactions
Currently, specific drugs or drug classes that directly interact with CEP76 are not well characterized in the literature. However, given its role in cell cycle regulation, indirect interactions can occur with:

- **Anticancer drugs**: Compounds targeting Aurora kinases (like AURKA inhibitors) and microtubule-targeting agents (such as paclitaxel) could potentially impact the function of centrosomal proteins, including CEP76. This is in relevance to cancer treatment strategies and their effects on cell cycle dynamics.

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### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
CEP76 is involved in several important cellular pathways and biological processes, including:

- **Centrosome Cycle**: Essential for proper centriole duplication, the process by which centrioles are formed and maintained.
- **Cell Cycle Regulation**: Influences the transition phases of the cell cycle and prevents re-duplication of centrioles, thereby maintaining genomic integrity.
- **Mitotic Spindle Assembly**: The involvement of CEP76 in centrosome function suggests its participation in the organization and stability of the mitotic spindle during cell division.
- **Response to DNA Damage**: While not directly linked, proper function of centrosomal proteins is crucial for maintaining DNA repair pathways, as centrosomes play a role in cellular responses to damage during the cell cycle.

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### Conclusion
The CEP76 gene is fundamental to centrosomal function and the regulation of the cell cycle, with implications in various biological processes and potential associations with age-related diseases. While research into specific drug interactions is limited, its critical role in centriole duplication suggests potential therapeutic avenues in oncology and developmental biology. Further investigation into the gene could provide deeper insights into its functions and relevance in health and disease.