Certainly! Here’s a detailed overview of the DHODH gene along with additional requested information.

### Overview of DHODH Gene

- **Gene Symbol**: DHODH
- **Location**: Chromosome 16q22.1
- **Function**: The DHODH gene encodes dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), which is crucial for the de novo synthesis of pyrimidines. It catalyzes the oxidation of dihydroorotate to orotate, using quinone as an electron acceptor. This reaction is essential for the production of uridine monophosphate (UMP).

### 1. Associated Genes
While DHODH does not have direct associations highlighted in the summaries, it is part of broader metabolic pathways involving the following genes:
- **CAD**: carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamylase, dihydroorotase
- **UMP-C1**: uridine monophosphate carboxy-kinase
- **DIP2**: involved in nucleotide metabolism.
- **DYNLL1**: inferred interactions in mitochondrial processes.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
- **Role in Aging**: The enzymes involved in nucleotide metabolism, including DHODH, have been implicated in cellular growth and proliferation, both of which are crucial processes affected by aging.
- **Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases**: Altered pyrimidine metabolism can result in dysregulated cell proliferation, contributing to cancer. Inhibitors of DHODH have been studied for their potential in treating conditions like multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.
- **Mitochondrial Dysfunction**: Disruption of mitochondrial functions has been associated with a variety of age-related diseases, indicating that proper activity of mitochondrial proteins like DHODH is vital for aging healthily.

### 3. Drug Interactions
Several drugs interact with DHODH, either as inhibitors or through other mechanisms:
- **Leflunomide**: A prodrug that is converted into its active form, teriflunomide, which is a potent inhibitor of DHODH and is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
- **Cytarabine (Ara-C)**: An antineoplastic drug that can indirectly influence the activity of pyrimidine metabolism.
- **Turanose**: A specific inhibitor studied in the context of metabolic disease.
  
Inhibitors of DHODH are also being investigated for their potential in treating cancer and viral infections, reflecting ongoing research and interest in targeting this pathway.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
- **Pyrimidine Metabolism**: DHODH is fundamentally important in the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway.
- **Mitochondrial Metabolism**: Since it resides in the inner mitochondrial membrane, it plays a role in metabolite transport and energy-related processes.
- **Cellular Proliferation and Growth**: Through its role in UMP and ultimately nucleotide synthesis, DHODH is crucial for DNA and RNA synthesis.
- **Regulation of Immune Response**: As a target for immunomodulatory drugs, it is involved in the regulatory pathways governing immune system responses.

### Conclusion
The DHODH gene plays a critical role in the synthesis of nucleotides, affecting processes crucial not only for cell proliferation and health but also influencing various age-related diseases and potential therapeutic targets. Further research continues to illuminate its exact roles and implications in health and disease, especially in the context of aging and cancer therapies.