### PICSAR Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** PICSAR  
**Description:** The PICSAR gene, which stands for "PIK3CA Interacting Cell Signaling-Related," encodes a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that plays a role in various cellular processes including gene expression regulation and cellular signaling pathways, particularly those related to the PI3K signaling pathway.

### 1. Associated Genes

PICSAR has been primarily linked to several key genes involved in signaling pathways and regulatory processes. While the NCBI and UniProt summaries may provide limited connections, other notable genes associated with PICSAR include:

- **PIK3CA**: This is a part of the PI3K signaling pathway, which is crucial for various cellular functions, including growth and metabolism.
- **AKT1**: A downstream effector of the PI3K pathway, involved in promoting cell survival and growth.
- **mTOR**: This kinase plays a significant role in cell growth and metabolism, often influenced by upstream signals from PI3K and PICSAR.

### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases

PICSAR has been implicated in various biological processes that are relevant to aging and age-related diseases:

- **Cancer**: PICSAR has shown involvement in the regulation of oncogenic processes, particularly through the modulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. Dysregulation of these pathways is often linked to aging-related diseases, particularly cancers.
- **Metabolic Disorders**: Given the role of PI3K in metabolism, PICSAR may also be relevant in age-related metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, which are common in older populations.
- **Neurodegenerative Diseases**: Emerging studies suggest that lncRNAs like PICSAR may be implicated in neurodegeneration through their regulatory mechanisms in neuronal signaling pathways.

### 3. Drug Interactions

As a long non-coding RNA, PICSAR does not have direct drug interactions like traditional protein-coding genes. However, it is associated with the following pathways where certain drugs or drug classes could have an impact:

- **PI3K inhibitors**: These include drugs like idelalisib and copanlisib, which may indirectly affect PICSAR expression or its functional outcomes because of its role in the PI3K pathway.
- **mTOR inhibitors**: Drugs like rapamycin are known to target the mTOR pathway, which may also relate to the modulation of functions influenced by PICSAR.

### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes

PICSAR is involved in the following key biological pathways and processes:

- **PI3K-Akt Signaling Pathway**: Enhances cell growth, survival, and metabolism.
- **Regulation of Gene Expression**: Functions in transcriptional regulation through interactions with various transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers.
- **Response to Stress**: Plays a role in cellular responses to stress, which is critical in aging and age-related cellular damage processes.
- **Cell Cycle Regulation**: Influences cell proliferation and differentiation, which could contribute to age-related changes in tissue homeostasis.

### Conclusion

PICSAR is a crucial lncRNA involved in various signaling pathways, especially those associated with cancer and metabolic diseases, and has significant implications for understanding its role in aging and associated disorders. Ongoing research into its functions and mechanisms through which it interacts with other genes and pathways will continue to elucidate its relevance in health and disease.