A combined literature and in silico analysis enlightens the role of the NDRG family in the gut

Nathalie Vaes, Simone L. Schonkeren, Erwin Brosens, Alexander Koch, Conor J. McCann, Nikhil Thapar, Robert M. W. Hofstra, Manon van Engeland, Veerle Melotte*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

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Abstract

Background: The N-Myc Downstream-Regulated Gene (NDRG) family comprises four members that function in cellular processes like proliferation and differentiation. While NDRG1 and NDRG2 are extensively studied, knowledge regarding NDRG3 and NDRG4, despite its recognition as a well-established early-detection marker for colorectal cancer (Cologuard (R)), is sparse.

Scope of review: To summarize expression, biomarker potential and functional mechanisms of the NDRGs in the developing, mature and cancerous gut, we combine current literature and in silico analyses from the TCGA-database, GTEX Project, E14.5 mouse intestine and enteric neural crest cells, and an RNA-sequencing time-series of human embryonic colonic samples.

Major conclusions: This study reveals that all members display a differential expression pattern in the gut and that NDRG1, NDRG2 and NDRG4 (1) can serve as biomarker for colorectal cancer and (2) have tumor suppressive properties mainly affecting cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

General significance: Similar effects of the NDRGs on the key-hallmarks of cancer, could implicate analogous functions in other tissue/cancer types.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2140-2151
Number of pages12
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta-general Subjects
Volume1862
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2018

Keywords

  • Biomarkers
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Intestinal tract
  • N-myc downstream-regulated gene
  • Tumor suppressors
  • DOWNSTREAM-REGULATED GENE-1
  • EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION
  • METASTASIS SUPPRESSOR NDRG1
  • HUMAN COLON-CARCINOMA
  • STOOL DNA TEST
  • COLORECTAL-CANCER
  • N-MYC
  • CELL-PROLIFERATION
  • TUMOR INVASION
  • EXPRESSION

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