Latent GDF-2

Human Growth and differentiation factor 2 (GDF-2), also known as Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP-9), is a member of the BMP subgroup of the TGF-beta superfamily proteins that signal through heterodimeric complexes composed of type I and type II BMP receptors. GDF-2 Potent circulating inhibitor of angiogenesis. Signals through the type I activin receptor ACVRL1 but not other Alks. Signaling through SMAD1 in endothelial cells requires TGF-beta coreceptor endoglin/ENG. ALK1 is a signalling receptor for bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) in endothelial cells (ECs). BMP-9 bound with high affinity to ALK1 and endoglin, and weakly to the type-I receptor ALK2 and to the BMP type-II receptor (BMPR-II) and activin type-II receptor (ActR-II) in transfected COS cells. Binding of BMP-9 to ALK2 was greatly facilitated when BMPR-II or ActR-II were co-expressed.