BMP-11/GDF-11

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 11 (BMP-11; GDF11), also known as growth/differentiation factor 11, is a ligand protein with pleiotropic, belongs to TGFβ family. GDF-11/BMP-11 signals through activin receptors type II, ACVR2A and ACVR2B, and activin receptors type I, ACVR1B, ACVR1C and TGFBR1 leading to the phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3^[1]. GDF-11/BMP-11 is highly similar with growth/differentiation factor 8 (GDF8), and exhibits more potent activator of SMAD2/3 and signals more effectively through the type I activin-like receptor kinase receptors ALK4/5/7 than GDF8. Furthermore, signaling by GDF-11/BMP-11 is controlled by extracellular protein antagonists, including FS, FSTL3, GASP1, and GASP2^[1]. GDF-11/BMP-11 plays pivotal roles during development, including anterior/posterior patterning, formation of the kidney, stomach, spleen and endocrine pancreas. In the embryo, GDF-11/BMP-11 also shows strong expression is seen in the palatal epithelia, including the medial edge epithelial and midline epithelial seam of the palatal shelves. Less pronounced expression is also seen throughout the palatal shelf and tongue mesenchyme^[2]. GDF-11/BMP-11 is lately found expressing in the adult central nervous system (CNS)^[2], is an important regulator of CNS formation and fate^[3]. In the aged brain, exogenous, peripherally delivered GDF-11/BMP-11 may enhance neurogenesis and angiogenesis, as well as improve neuropathological outcomes. Exogenously increasing circulating GDF-11/BMP-11 concentrations may be a viable approach for improving deleterious aspects of brain aging and neuropathology^[3].

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