Growth factor involved in osteogenesis and adipogenesis. Plays an inhibitory role in the process of osteoblast differentiation via SMAD2/3 pathway (PubMed:22155034). Plays an inhibitory role in the process of adipogenesis (PubMed:21712809). Homodimer or heterodimer. Can form a non-covalent complex of the mature region and the pro-region (PubMed:21712809). Highly expressed in epididymal adipose tissue, brain, bone and aorta and to a lesser extent in liver and spleen. Expressed at higher levels in preadipocytes than in mature adipocytes (PubMed:21712809). Strongly expressed in glial cells of the cerebellum (PubMed:24963847). During embryogenes is expressed most prominently in developing skeletal structures both in the craniofacial region and in the vertebral column. No visible phenotype. 3T3-L1 cells endogenously secrete biologically active Gdf10 as a unique complex that contains both the pro-region and the mature region. Belongs to the TGF-beta family.