Growth/differentiation factor 11 (GDF11)

Secreted signal that acts globally to specify positional identity along the anterior/posterior axis during development. May play crucial roles in patterning both mesodermal and neural tissues and in establishing the skeletal pattern (By similarity).

Signals through activin receptors type-2, ACVR2A and ACVR2B, and activin receptors type-1, ACVR1B, ACVR1C and TGFBR1 resulting in the phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 (PubMed:28257634). .