### NLRC3 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** NLRC3  
**Location:** Human chromosome 12 (12q24.31)  
**Protein Name:** NLR family CARD domain containing 3  
**Function:** Negative regulator of innate immunity, particularly modulating the immune response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns.

### 1. Associated Genes
Aside from direct interactions with STING (TMEM173) and interactions affecting TLR signaling, NLRC3 may have associations with other genes involved in the innate immune response and inflammation, including:

- **NLRP3:** Component of the inflammasome, involved in cytokine signaling.
- **TRAF6:** E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in TLR signaling pathways.
- **PIK3CA, PIK3CB, PIK3CD:** Catalytic subunits of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) that may interact with NLRC3 in the context of immune response pathways.
- **IL1B:** Key cytokine in inflammatory response.
- **Caspase-1 (CASP1):** Enzymatic protein that is activated via inflammasome signaling and is crucial for IL-1β maturation.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
While direct studies on NLRC3 and aging are limited, its role in inflammation and immune regulation suggests it could be implicated in aging-related processes, specifically:

- **Chronic Inflammation:** NLRC3's involvement in hyper-inflammation suggests that its dysregulation might contribute to age-related chronic inflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and other age-associated conditions.
- **Cancer:** The regulation of pathways like PI3K-AKT-mTOR and NF-kappa-B by NLRC3 might suggest its indirect roles in cancer biology, influencing tumor progression and response to therapies.

### 3. Drug Interactions
There are no specific drugs directly targeting NLRC3 identified in current literature or databases. However, the following drug classes may indirectly interact with pathways involving NLRC3:

- **Immunosuppressants:** Drugs that modulate the immune response may have effects on NLRC3 activity, given its regulatory role in immunity.
- **Inflammatory modulators:** Some anti-inflammatory agents might influence the pathways regulated by NLRC3, especially those affecting crosstalk between inflammasomes and NF-kappa-B.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
NLRC3 is associated with several key pathways and biological processes, including:

- **Innate Immune Response:** Negative regulation of signaling pathways activated by TLRs and STING.
- **Cytokine Signaling:** Attenuates inflammatory signaling mediated by IL-1 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- **Inflammasome Formation Regulation:** Inhibitory role on NLRP3 inflammasome formation.
- **PI3K-AKT-mTOR Pathway:** Controls cellular processes such as cell growth, proliferation, and survival.
- **NF-kappa-B Signaling Cascade:** Modulates the inflammation and immune response.

### Summary
NLRC3 serves as a crucial negative regulator of the innate immune response and is involved in multiple signaling pathways that are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. Although more research is required to fully elucidate its role in aging and therapeutic contexts, NLRC3's influence on inflammation and immune regulation may have implications for age-related diseases and treatment strategies.