[Expression of nm23/NDP kinase and cancer metastasis]

The nm23 gene was originally identified by differential hybridization between low and highly metastatic murine melanoma lines. The nm23 protein is identical with NDP kinase and there are at least two isotypes in several mammalian species such as human, mice and rats. Reduced expression of nm23/NDP kinase gene has been reported of association with highly metastatic characteristics in several experimental tumors and in certain types of human cancer. Detailed mechanisms of nm23 molecules in metastasis suppression remain unknown. The nm23/NDP kinase appears to participate to multiple cellular functions such as differentiation, proliferation and development. In this article, we reviewed recent reports on nm23/NDP kinase.