NDRG2 Human

NDRG2 was first discovered and cloned by Deng et al. using a polymerase chain reaction-based subtractive hybridization method . The gene is located on chromosome 14q11.2 and consists of 16 exons and 15 introns . The full-length human NDRG2 protein comprises 371 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of approximately 40 kDa . The protein contains α/β hydrolase-fold motifs and an acyl carrier protein-like domain .

NDRG2 is principally expressed in astrocytic cells throughout different regions of the brain . It is also found in other highly differentiated tissues such as the heart, muscle, and salivary glands . The abundance of NDRG2 is inversely associated with the ability of cells to proliferate .

NDRG2 is a multifunctional protein associated with:

• Cell Proliferation and Differentiation: It plays a role in regulating cell growth and differentiation .
• Transmembrane Transport: NDRG2 is involved in the transport of molecules across cell membranes .
• Stress Responses: The protein is implicated in cellular responses to stress .

NDRG2 contains several phosphorylation sites (e.g., Thr330, Ser332, Thr348) that can be phosphorylated by upstream kinases such as Akt and serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 .

In the nervous system, NDRG2 is predominantly expressed in astrocytes and is involved in the regulation of neurogenesis and the development of nervous system diseases, including neurodegeneration, ischemia, and glioblastoma . It plays diverse roles in the regulation of astrocyte reactivity, blood-brain barrier integrity, and glutamate excitotoxicity .

NDRG2 functions as a tumor suppressor gene, increasing tumor sensitivity to anticancer drugs, slowing tumor progression, and inhibiting metastasis . Its expression is often suppressed in various aggressive tumors, and its presence is associated with improved patient prognosis .