This gene encodes a serine/threonine kinase that functions as a receptor for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). The encoded protein is a type I receptor, and forms a complex of two type II and two type I receptors at the cell membrane. This complex signals downstream to activate SMAD transcriptional regulators. This signaling is important in skeletal and bone development. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2013]