Dorsalizing factor. Antagonizes mesoderm formation by ventralizing BMPs. Homodimer. Can form heterodimers with ADMP, BMP-2-I and/or BMP-2-II, and DERRIERE. Tends to mark the dorsal ectodermal and mesodermal cells. Initially expressed in the embryonic ectoderm and throughout the marginal zone from the late blastula to gastrula stages. Expression is restricted to the chordal and prechordal mesoderm by the neurula stages, and to certain cells of the cephalic neural crest at the tailbud stage. Belongs to the TGF-beta family.