 For the heart, Cerberus is one of several factors that inhibits Nodal to initiate cardiomyogenic differentiation 

The Cerberus gene family produces many different signal proteins that are antagonistically involved in establishing anterior-posterior patterning and left-right patterning in vertebrate embryos.Cerberus is an inhibitor in the TGF beta signaling pathway secreted during the gastrulation phase of embryogenesis.Cerberus (Cer) is a gene that encodes a cytokine (a secreted signaling protein) important for induction and formation of the heart and head in vertebrates.