### Gene Summary
**Gene Symbol**: RPL17P26

The RPL17P26 gene is a pseudogene located on the short arm of chromosome 8. As a member of the ribosomal protein L17 family, it is implicated in the assembly of ribosomes and protein synthesis. Ribosomal protein pseudogenes, although they do not code for functional proteins, can play regulatory roles through various mechanisms, including the modulation of the expression of their corresponding functional genes.

### 1. Associated Genes
RPL17P26 is associated with several other genes, primarily those encoding ribosomal proteins and related factors, though specific associations may not always be fully characterized in databases. Other genes that may have a functional relationship or shared pathways include:
- **RPL17**: The functional counterpart of the RPL17P26 pseudogene.
- **RPL10**, **RPL11**, and other genes within the ribosomal protein family might also have associations due to their role within ribosome biogenesis.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Disease Associations
As a pseudogene, RPL17P26 itself may not be directly associated with aging or age-related diseases in the same manner as functional genes. However, ribosomal proteins, including pseudogenes like RPL17P26, have been implicated in the regulation of cellular processes that can impact aging and age-related diseases through:
- Altered protein synthesis, which is crucial in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
- Potential involvement in cellular stress responses that might impact longevity or contribute to age-associated pathologies (e.g., cancer, neurodegeneration).

### 3. Known Drug Interactions
While there are no specific drugs directly known to interact with RPL17P26 due to its pseudogenic status, drugs affecting ribosomal function, such as antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides, macrolides), may indirectly influence pathways related to ribosomal protein expression and synthesis. Given the regulatory roles of pseudogenes, alterations in expression of RPL17P26 could hypothetically influence the response to such drugs, although empirical data may be limited.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
RPL17P26 contributes to several biological processes:
- **Ribosome Biogenesis**: Though a pseudogene, it may still participate in regulatory networks involving the synthesis and assembly of ribosomal subunits.
- **Cell Growth and Proliferation**: By influencing ribosome function, this pseudogene might indirectly affect cell proliferation.
- **Stress Response**: If expressed, it may play roles in cellular responses to stress, although this is speculative as functional characterization is often lacking for pseudogenes.
- **Gene Regulation**: Pseudogenes can compete for miRNA binding or transcription factors, thus influencing the expression of their functional counterparts.

As more research is conducted on pseudogenes and their functions, additional insights may be revealed regarding their roles in health, disease, and biological pathways.