Growth Differentiation Factor-5 (GDF-5; also called BMP-14 and CDMP-1) is a member of the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily proteins. Mature mouse GDF-5 shares 99% aa sequence identity with both mature human and rat GDF-5. Growth/differentiation factors (GDF-1 to GDF-15) are members of the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily proteins. They are produced as inactive preproproteins which are then cleaved and assembled into active secreted homodimers. GDF dimers are disulfide-linked with the exception of GDF-3 and -9. GDF proteins are important during embryonic development, particularly in the skeletal, nervous, and muscular systems. GDF-5 is involved in multiple developmental processes including limb generation, cartilage development, joint formation, bone morphogenesis, cell survival, and neuritogenesis.