Growth factor of the TGF-beta superfamily that plays essential roles in many developmental processes, including neurogenesis, vascular development, angiogenesis and osteogenesis . Acts in concert with PTHLH/PTHRP to stimulate ductal outgrowth during embryonic mammary development and to inhibit hair follicle induction (By similarity). Initiates the canonical BMP signaling cascade by associating with type I receptor BMPR1A and type II receptor BMPR2 (, ). Once all three components are bound together in a complex at the cell surface, BMPR2 phosphorylates and activates BMPR1A. In turn, BMPR1A propagates signal by phosphorylating SMAD1/5/8 that travel to the nucleus and act as activators and repressors of transcription of target genes (, ). Positively regulates the expression of odontogenic development regulator MSX1 via inducing the IPO7-mediated import of SMAD1 to the nucleus (By similarity). Required for MSX1-mediated mesenchymal molar tooth bud development beyond the bud stage, via promoting Wnt signaling (By similarity). Acts as a positive regulator of odontoblast differentiation during mesenchymal tooth germ formation, expression is repressed during the bell stage by MSX1-mediated inhibition of CTNNB1 signaling (By similarity). Able to induce its own expression in dental mesenchymal cells and also in the neighboring dental epithelial cells via an MSX1-mediated pathway (By similarity). Can also signal through non-canonical BMP pathways such as ERK/MAP kinase, PI3K/Akt, or SRC cascades . For example, induces SRC phosphorylation which, in turn, activates VEGFR2, leading to an angiogenic response .
Subcellular locations: Secreted, Extracellular space, Extracellular matrix
Expressed in the lung and lower levels seen in the kidney. Present also in normal and neoplastic prostate tissues, and prostate cancer cell lines.