### TAS2R43 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: TAS2R43  
**Gene Type**: G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)  
**Location**: Chromosome 12 (human)  

### 1. Associated Genes
TAS2R43 is part of the larger family of taste receptor genes known as the TAS2R (taste 2 receptor) gene family. Other related genes in this family include:

- TAS2R38
- TAS2R16
- TAS2R14
- TAS2R5
- TAS2R60

These genes encode for receptors that are similarly involved in the perception of bitter compounds. Additionally, downstream signaling partners such as **PLCB2** (Phospholipase C Beta 2) and **TRPM5** (Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M Member 5) may also be associated with TAS2R43.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
Current literature regarding TAS2R43 does not provide strong direct associations with aging or specific age-related diseases. However, since taste perception tends to decline with age, the role of bitter taste receptors, including TAS2R43, may be indirectly significant in understanding changes in dietary habits and preferences in older populations. Additionally, altered signaling pathways in GPCRs can be implicated in neurodegenerative diseases; hence, while TAS2R43 itself may not have direct associations, its pathway involvement may contribute to studies in age-related disease contexts.

### 3. Drug Interactions
TAS2R43 is known to interact with the following compounds:

- **Sweeteners**: Saccharin and acesulfame K are artificial sweeteners that have been shown to activate TAS2R43. 
- **Potentially, additional bitter-tasting compounds** may also interact with this receptor, though specific pharmaceutical drug classes targeting TAS2R43 are not comprehensively documented.

Since GPCRs like TAS2R43 can play a role in various pathways, undesirable drug effects may arise if drugs influence hitherto uncharacterized receptors, necessitating careful pharmacological studies for GPCR-targeting drugs.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
TAS2R43 is involved in:

- **Taste Signaling Pathways**: It plays a critical role in the perception of bitterness, triggering taste signaling cascades.
- **Calcium Signaling Pathways**: Activation of TAS2R43 results in calcium release from intracellular stores, particularly through PLCB2 and TRPM5, facilitating neurotransmission.
- **Respiratory Responses**: In airway epithelial cells, TAS2R43 may be involved in chemosensory detection of noxious agents, helping to mobilize defensive responses by increasing ciliary beat frequency and altering calcium ion concentration in response to potentially harmful substances.

Overall, TAS2R43 is a member of the bitter taste receptor family and is implicated in both gustatory responses and potential defensive mechanisms in the airway epithelium. Ongoing research and further genetic studies may elucidate its role in health, disease, and aging.