Protein NDRG3, N-myc downstream-regulated gene 3 protein, NDRG3
The NDRG (N-Myc downstream-regulated gene) family consisting of NDRG1, NDRG2, NDRG3, and NDRG4 are structurally related proteins with roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, stress responses, and cell migration/metastasis. NDRG1 was originally identified as a protein that was upregulated in N-Myc knockout mice. Proteins in the NDRG family, particularly NDRG1 and NDRG2, have been reported to be down-regulated in various cancer tissues and have been suggested to function as a tumor suppressors. Members of the NDRG family each have distinct expression patterns, NDRG3 is most highly expressed in the testis, prostate, ovary, and brain. NDRG3 has also been shown to be up-regulated by androgen in prostate cell lines and can promote cell growth in those cells.
