Growth factor involved in bone and cartilage formation. During cartilage development regulates differentiation of chondrogenic tissue through two pathways. Firstly, positively regulates differentiation of chondrogenic tissue through its binding of high affinity with BMPR1B and of less affinity with BMPR1A, leading to induction of SMAD1-SMAD5-SMAD8 complex phosphorylation and then SMAD protein signaling transduction (PubMed:24098149, PubMed:21976273, PubMed:15530414, PubMed:25092592). Secondly, negatively regulates chondrogenic differentiation through its interaction with NOG (PubMed:21976273). Required to prevent excessive muscle loss upon denervation. This function requires SMAD4 and is mediated by phosphorylated SMAD1/5/8 (By similarity). Binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and mediates LPS-induced inflammatory response, including TNF secretion by monocytes (PubMed:11276205). Homodimer; disulfide-linked (By similarity). Interacts with serine proteases, HTRA1 and HTRA3 (By similarity). Following LPS binding, may form a complex with CXCR4, HSP90AA1 and HSPA8. Interacts with high affinity with NOG; inhibits chondrogenesis. Interacts with high affinity with BMPR1B and lower affinity with BMPR1A; positively regulates chondrocyte differentiation and induces SMAD dependent signaling. Interacts with FBN1 (via N-terminal domain) and FBN2 (PubMed:18339631). Predominantly expressed in long bones during embryonic development. Expressed in monocytes (at protein level). The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Some BDC patients with GDF5 mutations also manifest clinical features of ASPED angel-shaped phalango-epiphyseal dysplasia (ASPED), an autosomal dominant skeletal abnormality characterized by a typical angel-shaped phalanx, brachydactyly, specific radiological findings, abnormal dentition, hip dysplasia, and delayed bone age. This suggests that BDC and ASPED are part of the same clinical spectrum (PubMed:22828468). The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Disease susceptibility is associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the TGF-beta family. GDF5 entry