Growth suppressor that facilitates the entry of the cell into cell cycle arrest. Functionally similar to the retinoblastoma protein it binds to and represses the activity of cell-cycle-promoting proteins such as SV40 large T antigen, adenovirus E1A, and the transcription factor E2F. Necdin also interacts with p53 and works in an additive manner to inhibit cell growth. Also functions as a transcription factor and directly binds to specific guanosine-rich DNA sequences (By similarity). . This is the function of ENSG00000182636 (NDN, necdin, MAGE family member).