N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene 1 (NDRG1)

NDRG1 is a member of the N-myc downregulated gene family which belongs to the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily. The protein encoded by this gene is a cytoplasmic protein involved in stress responses, hormone responses, cell growth, and differentiation. Mutation in this gene has been reported to be causative for hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom. It has been reported that NDRG1 localizes to the endosomes and is a Rab4a effector involved in vesicular recycling.

NDRG1 encodes a deduced 394-amino acid protein with a molecular mass of 43 kD. Northern blot analysis revealed ubiquitous expression of a 3.0-kb transcript that could be upregulated in various cell lines after exposure to nickel or to the ser/thr phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid.