Phosphorylation of NDRG1 is temporally and spatially controlled during the cell cycle

► SGK1-dependent phosphorylation of NDRG1 is elevated prior to S-phase in p53-deficient cells. ► Following G2/M-phase arrest, NDRG1 phosphorylation is increased in p53-deficient cells. ► NDRG1 does not form phosphorylation-dependent macromolecular complexes prior to mitosis. ► Phosphorylated NDRG1 co-localises with γ-tubulin during metaphase. ► Phosphorylated NDRG1 is re-localised to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis.