N-myc downstream regulated gene (NDRG) family members are characterised by an alpha/beta hydrolase-fold motif. NDRG proteins may function as tumour suppressors and may also play important roles in the development of neurological and electrophysiological diseases [, ]. This entry represents NDRG1. The C-terminal region of NDRG1 contains three 10-aa (GTRSRSHTSE) tandem repeats, which are absent in the other family members and may be crucial for its function. NDRG1 is implicated in placentation and is involved in the development of the urinary and reproductive organs of the embryos. NDRG1 also functions in mast cell inflammatory processes []. NDRG1 is expressed in Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and in the cytoplasm of myelinating Schwann cells in peripheral nerves []. NDRG1 has been links to several diseases, such as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom (HMSNL) []and Schwann cell dysfunction []. The expression of NDRG1 is down-regulated in certain cancer types, but up-regulated in other cancer types. This suggests that NDRG1 has tissue-specific functions in various cancer types []. NDRG1 is necessary for p53-dependent apoptosis []. It is also a Rab4a effector involved in vesicular recycling of the adhesion molecule E-cadherin [].
