[Growth Differentiation Factor 8, encoded by the human GDF8 gene, is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This protein plays a role in the control and maintenance of skeletal muscle mass. It acts specifically as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth by signaling through receptor serine/threonine kinases. This protein is synthesized as a preprotein activated by 2 proteolytic cleavages. Removal of the signal sequence is followed by cleavage at a tetrabasic processing site, resulting in a 26-kD amino-terminal propeptide and a 12.5-kD carboxy-terminal peptide, a dimer of which is the biologically active portion of the protein. (From LocusLink, OMIM and NCI) ( NCI )]
UMLS (NCI) C0538238 - Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein
- Biologically Active Substance
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