N-myc Downstream-Regulated Gene 1 and Endometriosis: A Minireview.

NDRG1 (N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1) was previously considered to be a differentiation-related gene. However, many other functions of NDRG1 have since been identified, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and vascularization of tumor cells. Currently regarded as a tumor suppressor in most studies, NDRG1 is abundant in prostate, brain, kidney, placental, and intestinal tissues. It is expressed in normal endometrium, with higher expression occurring in the secretory phase. NDRG1 was first identified as an inhibitor of signaling pathways associated with the pathology of endometriosis. The NDRG1 protein regulation of endometriosis is assumed to be associated with several important pathways. This review summarizes the relationship between NDRG1 and endometriosis, focusing on the potential function of NDRG1 in endometriosis through signaling pathways and discusses the additional research that is required for future studies.