Induces cartilage and bone formation. May be the osteoinductive factor responsible for the phenomenon of epithelial osteogenesis. Plays a role in calcium regulation and bone homeostasis (By similarity). Signaling protein involved in regulation of thermogenesis and energy balance. Proposed to increase the peripheral response of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to adrenergic stimulation while acting centrally in the hypothalamus to increase sympathetic output to BAT. Growth factor of the TGF-beta superfamily that plays important role in various biological processes, including spermatogenesis, osteogenesis, steroidogenesis as well as regulation of energy balance (PubMed:22579288, PubMed:31940275). Initiates the canonical BMP signaling cascade by associating with type I receptor BMPR1A and type II receptor BMPR2 (PubMed:31940275). Once all three components are bound together in a complex at the cell surface, BMPR2 phosphorylates and activates BMPR1A. In turn, BMPR1A propagates signal by phosphorylating SMAD1/5/8 that travel to the nucleus and act as activators and repressors of transcription of target genes. In addition, activates the SMAD2/3 pathway (PubMed:31940275). Homodimer; disulfide-linked. Belongs to the TGF-beta family. Experiments with human recombinant protein (in mouse system by intracerebroventricular treatment) are reported for BMP8B but the protein is corresponding to BMP8A according sequence data provided by the supplier; related experiments with Bmp8b-/- mice show similar results. Bone morphogenetic protein 8A entry