Nodal - nodal

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 the mature protein, which regulates early embryonic development. Homozygous knockout mice for this gene exhibit early embryonic lethality, while expression of a hypomorphic allele results in defects in anteroposterior and left-right patterning. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]