### CDH3 Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol**: CDH3  
**Location**: The CDH3 gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 16.

**Function**: The CDH3 gene encodes a classical cadherin, a type of calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion protein. This protein plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining tissues by mediating homophilic adhesion between cells. The CDH3 protein consists of five extracellular cadherin repeats, a transmembrane region, and a conserved cytoplasmic tail, which is important for signaling and maintaining cytoskeletal integrity.

### 1. Associated Genes
While the provided summaries mention the chromosome 16 gene cluster related to breast and prostate cancer, other genes potentially associated with CDH3 include:

- **CDH1**: Cadherin 1, another member of the cadherin family that plays a role in epithelial integrity and may interact functionally with CDH3 in cell signaling and adhesion.
- **CDH2**: Cadherin 2, which has implications in neuronal development.
- **PAX6**: Associated with eye development and potentially linked to macular dystrophies.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases
The CDH3 gene has been implicated in disorders such as:

- **Hypotrichosis with juvenile macular dystrophy**: A condition affecting hair growth and vision, showing early onset and developmental impact.
- **Ectodermal dysplasia, ectrodactyly, and macular dystrophy syndrome (EEMS)**: An example of a syndromic condition involving multiple systems, indicating the importance of CDH3 in ectoderm-derived structures.

Although there isn't direct evidence linking CDH3 expression and aging per se, the involvement in developmental disorders suggests that its dysfunction could potentially influence aspects of aging related to tissue integrity or regenerative processes.

### 3. Drug Interactions
Currently, there are no specific drugs directly targeting CDH3 noted in major repositories. However, given the implication of CDH3 in cancer, drugs targeting pathways involving cadherins or interventions affecting adhesion processes may have indirect interactions.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes
The CDH3 gene is involved in several key biological processes:

- **Cell adhesion**: CDH3 is central to the formation of adherens junctions, facilitating tissue architecture.
- **Tissue morphogenesis**: Involved in embryonic development and maintaining tissue structure.
- **Wnt signaling pathway**: Cadherins can modulate Wnt signaling directly or indirectly through their interactions with β-catenin.
- **Signaling pathways**: The cytoplasmic tail of CDH3 is involved in various signaling pathways that regulate cellular behavior, proliferation, and differentiation.

In summary, the CDH3 gene is a crucial player in cell adhesion processes, development, and certain disease states. Its role in cancer, developmental abnormalities, and connections to other cadherins highlight its significance in cellular dynamics.