### ASCC3 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: ASCC3  
**Gene Summary**: The ASCC3 gene encodes a protein that is part of the helicase family, specifically involved in ATP-dependent unwinding of nucleic acid duplexes. It plays a crucial role as the largest subunit of the activating signal cointegrator 1 (ASC-1) complex, which is associated with DNA repair mechanisms and resistance to alkylating damage. Additionally, ASCC3 is implicated in the ribosome quality control (RQC) pathway, specifically in the extraction of stalled ribosomes.

### 1. Associated Genes

ASCC3 is associated with several genes involved in DNA repair, ribosome quality control, and transcriptional regulation. Some notable genes include:

- **ALKBH3**: A DNA and RNA repair enzyme that processes alkylated DNA.
- **ZNF598**: Involved in the recognition and ubiquitination of stalled ribosomes.
- **BCL2**: Involved in regulating cell death, possibly affected by ASCC3's involvement in stress responses.
- **TP53**: Tumor suppressor gene that may interact with ASCC3 in response to DNA damage.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases

ASCC3 has been linked to several aspects of aging and age-related diseases:

- **DNA Repair and Genomic Integrity**: Given its role in DNA repair, mutations or dysregulation of ASCC3 may contribute to age-related genomic instability, a hallmark of aging.
- **Cancer**: Altered expression of ASCC3 has been observed in various tumors, suggesting its involvement in cancer biology, which often correlates with aging.
- **Neurodegeneration**: Disruption in the ribosome quality control pathways can lead to the accumulation of faulty proteins, which is a characteristic of several age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

### 3. Known Drug Interactions

Currently, there are no specific drugs directly targeting ASCC3 mentioned in the literature. However, broad classes of drugs that may interact indirectly or that could influence pathways associated with ASCC3 include:

- **DNA Damaging Agents**: Such as alkylating agents (e.g., temozolomide), which ASCC3 helps to repair.
- **Transcription Modulators**: Drugs that affect NF-kappa-B, SRF, and AP1 pathways may also indirectly influence ASCC3 activity.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes

ASCC3 is involved in several important biological processes and pathways:

- **DNA Repair Pathway**: Specifically involved in the repair of alkylated DNA by promoting unwinding of duplex DNA.
- **Ribosome Quality Control (RQC) Pathway**: Facilitates the rescue of stalled ribosomes and degradation of problematic nascent chains.
- **Signal Transduction**: Through the ASC-1 complex, ASCC3 enhances transactivation of downstream pathways, including those mediated by NF-kappa-B and other transcription factors.
- **Cell Cycle Regulation**: By ensuring genomic integrity and responding to DNA damage, ASCC3 may be implicated in processes that regulate cell proliferation and survival.

### Summary

The ASCC3 gene plays a multifaceted role in DNA repair, ribosome quality control, and various signaling pathways, which interconnect with aspects of aging and have implications in cancer and other age-related conditions. Given its key functions, ASCC3 continues to be a point of interest in genetic and biomedical research aimed at understanding cellular quality control mechanisms and their implications for health and disease.