Growth factor involved in osteogenesis and adipogenesis. Plays an inhibitory role in the process of osteoblast differentiation via SMAD2/3 pathway. Plays an inhibitory role in the process of adipogenesis. Homodimer or heterodimer. Can form a non-covalent complex of the mature region and the pro-region. Costa, costicartilage, femur, calvaria, trachea, aorta and brain. Predominantly in the cerebellum. Belongs to the TGF-beta family.