### ARL17A Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** ARL17A  
**Gene Description:** ARL17A (ADP-ribosylation factor-like 17A) is a member of the ARF (ADP-ribosylation factor) family of GTP-binding proteins, most closely related to ARL1 and ARF4. It is integral in vesicular transport processes within cells and is particularly implicated in membrane trafficking and Golgi apparatus function.

### 1. Associated Genes
While the NCBI and UniProt summaries provide foundational insights into ARL17A, it may not explicitly list all associated genes. However, ARL17A may have functional interactions with other genes involved in vesicle transport and GTPase activity, such as:
- **ARF1** and **ARF4:** These genes encode related GTP-binding proteins involved in vesicular trafficking.
- **SAR1A and SAR1B:** GTPases involved in the initial stages of coatomer-mediated transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
- **COPA and COPB1:** Components of the coatomer complex that are involved in vesicle formation and transport from the Golgi.

### 2. Known Details Related to Aging or Age-related Diseases
Information regarding the direct association of ARL17A with aging or specific age-related diseases is somewhat sparse. However, given its role in vesicle-mediated transport and protein trafficking, disruptions in its function may intervene in cellular processes that underlie various age-related conditions, such as:
- **Neurodegenerative Diseases:** Impairment in vesicle transport in neurons can contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
- **Metabolic Disorders:** Misregulation of Golgi apparatus function could potentially contribute to obesity or diabetes as age progresses.

Future research may illuminate its exact role in these contexts.

### 3. Drug Interactions
Currently, there are no specific drugs or drug classes explicitly known to interact with the ARL17A gene. However, since ARL17A acts as an allosteric regulator of cholera toxin, some studies might consider examining the role of various therapeutics addressing GTPase activities or pathways involved in vesicle trafficking that indirectly connect sustained drug treatments targeting intracellular transport mechanisms.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
ARL17A is involved in several key pathways and biological processes:
- **Vesicle-Mediated Transport:** ARL17A is primarily associated with the trafficking of proteins and lipids between the Golgi apparatus and other cellular locations, contributing to membrane dynamics.
- **Intracellular Protein Transport:** It has a predicted role in transporting proteins to various cellular locales, facilitating their proper function.
- **Regulation of Golgi Dynamics:** Involved in modulating vesicle budding and uncoating processes at the Golgi apparatus, thereby impacting the organization and functioning of the Golgi complex.
- **GTP Binding Activity:** The gene enables GTP binding, which is critical for the activation of protein transport machinery.

Overall, ARL17A plays a vital role in cellular logistics, facilitating essential transactions within the cell and indicating that understanding its function could be important both for basic cellular biology and for aging research and potential therapeutic interventions in age-related diseases.