Contributes to the maintenance of intracerebral BDNF levels within the normal range, which is necessary for the preservation of spatial learning and the resistance to neuronal cell death caused by ischemic stress (By similarity). May enhance growth factor-induced ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation, including that induced by PDGF and FGF. May attenuate NGF-promoted ELK1 phosphorylation in a microtubule-dependent manner. Expressed predominantly in brain and heart (at protein level). In the brain, detected in astrocytes. Isoform 1 and isoform 2 are only expressed in brain. Isoform 3 is expressed in both heart and brain. Up-regulated in glioblastoma multiforme cells. Expressed in a cell cycle-specific manner in glioblastoma multiple cells. Low levels in G2/M cells increase with progression through G1 phase and entry and progression through S phase. Phosphorylated in an aortic smooth muscle cell line, following PDGF treatment. Belongs to the NDRG family. Extended N-terminus.