This gene encodes a secreted ligand of the TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily of proteins. Ligands of this family bind various TGF-beta receptors leading to recruitment and activation of SMAD family transcription factors that regulate gene expression. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate each subunit of the disulfide-linked homodimer. This promotes neural repair after stroke. Additionally, this protein may act as a tumor suppressor and reduced expression of this gene is associated with oral cancer. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2016]
Forensic Context
A study in mice demonstrated that Gdf10 is a specific marker for stromal cells type 3 (ASC3) within brown adipose tissue, as identified through single-nucleus mRNA-sequencing [Behrens et al. DOI:10.1016/j.molmet.2025.102252]. A study in human HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells exposed to arsenic trioxide demonstrated that the GDF10 showed no significant change in protein expression as assessed by immunoblotting, indicating it was not involved in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response under those experimental conditions [Kazuta et al. DOI:10.1016/J.Legalmed.2026.102774].