NDRG1 is a member of the N-myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family and is involved in cellular differentiation, activation of p53, cell cycle arrest, metastasis, and hypoxia. Expression of NDRG1 is repressed by the proto-oncogene, N-myc during mouse development, although the exact functional role of NDRG1 in development remains unknown. Here, we report the characterization of Xenopus laevis NDRG1 (xNDRG1) during X laevis development. Expression of xNDRG1 transcript was first detected at stage 15, and was localized to the presumptive pronephric anlagen at stage 26 and to pronephros, eye, branchial arches, and tail-bud at stage 32. Overexpression of xNDRG1 results in a reduced pronephros and disorganized somites. Depletion of xNDRG1, using morpholinos, causes failure of pronephros development. These results suggest that xNDRG1 is required for pronephros development in X. laevis. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.