Dataset for: NDRG2 acts as a PERK co-factor to facilitate PERK branch and ERS-induced cell death

NDRG2, a newly identified tumor suppressor, is also responsive to various stresses, such as hypoxia and DNA damage. Here we reported that in human hepatoma SK-Hep-1 and HepG2 cells, NDRG2 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated by different ER stress inducers including Tg, Tm and DTT. Further, using NDRG2-overexpressing hepatoma cell lines and Ndrg2 KO mice liver tissues, we found that, among the three branches of unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling, NDRG2 facilitates PERK pathway via interaction with PERK, enhancing its downstream ATF4 and CHOP. Functionally, NDRG2 promotes ERS-induced apoptosis partially through ATF4 or CHOP. Thus, NDRG2 is an novel ERS responsive protein and acts as PERK co-factor to facilitate PERK branch, thereby contributing to ERS-induced apoptosis.