NDRG1 is a cytoplasmic protein involved in stress responses, hormone responses, cell growth, and differentiation. NDRG1 is necessary for p53-mediated caspase activation and apoptosis. Mutations in the NDRG1 gene are a cause of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4D, and expression of this gene may be a prognostic indicator for several types of cancer.