### WAC Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** WAC  
**Gene Location:** Located on chromosome 6 in humans.  

The WAC gene encodes a protein containing a WW domain that is pivotal for mediating protein-protein interactions, particularly through binding to proline-rich motifs. It plays critical roles in both transcription regulation and the cellular response to DNA damage, linking transcriptional machinery with histone modifications.

### 1. Associated Genes

While the NCBI and UniProt summaries mention interactions with RNF20 and RNF40, additional genes associated with WAC include:

- **H2B**: Specifically, histone H2B, which WAC is linked to in the context of monoubiquitination at 'Lys-120'.
- **MTOR**: The mechanistic target of rapamycin, as WAC is known to positively regulate its activity.
- **TELO2, TTI1, TTI2**: Members of the TTT complex that interact with WAC for mTOR pathway regulation.
- **RUVBL1, RUVBL2**: Proteins that form a complex with WAC for mTOR activation.
- Additional signaling proteins involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway may also interact with WAC.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Research shows a correlation between WAC's functions and the processes of aging:

- **DNA Damage Response**: WAC’s role in cell-cycle checkpoint activation in response to DNA damage is important because the accumulation of DNA damage is a hallmark of aging.
- **Regulation of Autophagy**: Since cellular autophagy declines with age, WAC's dual role in regulating autophagy (both promoting amino acid starvation-induced autophagy while negatively regulating basal autophagy) may influence age-related cellular maintenance and function.
- **Potential implications in age-related diseases**: Alterations in the regulation of the mTOR pathway by WAC might contribute to various age-related conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders.

### 3. Drug Interactions

Currently, there are no specifically identified drugs or drug classes directly targeting the WAC protein. However, since it is involved in the regulation of mTOR, drugs that interact with this pathway, such as:

- **Rapamycin (Sirolimus)**: An mTOR inhibitor used for its immunosuppressive properties and potential anti-aging effects.
- **Metformin**: Primarily used for diabetes management, it also influences mTOR signaling and may have anti-aging effects.

However, these interactions are indirect and not solely dependent on WAC.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes

WAC is involved in several biological processes and pathways:

- **Gene Transcription Regulation**: Acts as a linker between the transcription process and regulatory histone modifications.
- **DNA Damage Response**: Plays a role in the cell-cycle checkpoint activation when cellular DNA is damaged.
- **Autophagy**: Participates in both promoting and inhibiting autophagy, which is crucial for cellular homeostasis.
- **mTOR Signaling Pathway**: Positively regulates mTORC1 activation, affecting growth and metabolism.
- **Ubiquitin Proteasome Pathway**: There are suggestions that WAC might be involved in modulating this pathway, which is important for protein degradation and cellular turnover.

Overall, the WAC gene plays a multi-faceted role in transcription regulation, cellular stress responses, and autophagy processes, linking it to broader implications in health, disease, and potentially in aging.