GDF7, Official Symbol GDF7provided by HGNC Official Full Name growth differentiation factor 7provided by HGNC Primary source HGNC:HGNC:4222 See related Ensembl:ENSG00000143869 MIM:604651; AllianceGenome:HGNC:4222 Gene type protein coding RefSeq status REVIEWED Organism Homo sapiens Lineage Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo Also known as BMP12 Summary This gene encodes a secreted ligand of the TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily of proteins. Ligands of this family bind various TGF-beta receptors leading to recruitment and activation of SMAD family transcription factors that regulate gene expression. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate each subunit of the disulfide-linked homodimer. This protein may play a role in the differentiation of tendon cells and spinal cord interneurons. A mutation in this gene may be associated with increased risk for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2016] Expression Biased expression in kidney (RPKM 1.0), endometrium (RPKM 0.6) and 7 other tissues See more Orthologs mouse all