### UBE2L3 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** UBE2L3  
**Location:** Chromosome 22  
**Function:** UBE2L3 encodes a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) that is involved in the ubiquitination process, crucial for maintaining protein homeostasis in the cell. It participates in the post-translational modification of specific protein targets by facilitating the attachment of ubiquitin, thus targeting them for degradation or modifying their activity.

### 1. Associated Genes

UBE2L3 has been implicated in various protein-protein interactions and pathways, hence it associates with several other genes, albeit indirectly. Some of these may include:

- **TP53 (p53):** A widely studied tumor suppressor protein that UBE2L3 helps to ubiquitinate, impacting cell-cycle regulation.
- **FOS (c-Fos):** Aberrant regulation can lead to oncogenesis, and UBE2L3 is involved in its ubiquitination.
- **NFKB1 (p105 precursor of NF-kB):** Plays a critical role in immune response regulation and inflammation.
- **PRKN (Parkin):** An E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in mitophagy and linked to Parkinson's disease.
- **ARIH1:** Another E3 ligase interacting with UBE2L3, involved in various cellular pathways.

### 2. Aging and Age-related Diseases

While direct studies linking UBE2L3 specifically to aging are limited, components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system are known to play roles in age-related diseases like:

- **Neurodegeneration:** Misfolded proteins accumulate due to impaired proteasome function, and UBE2L3’s role in tagging proteins for degradation could influence the progression of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- **Cancer:** Alterations in ubiquitination pathways are implicated in various cancers. As UBE2L3 targets key tumor suppressors, its dysregulation could contribute to tumorigenesis.

### 3. Drug Interaction

Currently, specific drug interactions directly targeting UBE2L3 are not extensively characterized in literature. However, because the ubiquitin-proteasome system as a whole is a target for therapeutic intervention, several drug classes may indirectly affect UBE2L3 activity or expression:

- **Proteasome Inhibitors:** Such as Bortezomib, are primarily used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and other malignancies, affecting the degradation of proteins, including potential substrates of UBE2L3.
- **Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitors:** These can modulate the expression levels of genes involved in the ubiquitination pathway.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes

UBE2L3 is involved in several biological pathways and processes, including but not limited to:

- **Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis:** Facilitating protein degradation for regulation of various cellular functions.
- **Cell cycle regulation:** Its down-regulation during S-phase suggests a role in cell cycle progression.
- **Response to DNA damage:** By regulating proteins like p53 which are important for maintaining genomic stability.
- **Myelopoiesis:** Involved in the differentiation of blood cells, indicating a role in hematopoietic processes.

### Conclusion

UBE2L3 serves as a critical component of cellular function through its involvement in ubiquitination, influencing key pathway dynamics essential for normal physiology and in the context of diseases. Continued research on UBE2L3 may uncover further implications in aging and potential therapeutic interventions for age-related disorders or cancers.