Growth/differentiation factor 5 precursor, also known as GDF5, is a member of the TGF superfamily. GDF5 has been shown to induce activation of plasminogen activator, thereby inducing angiogenesis. It is predominantly expressed in long bones during fetal embryonic development and is involved in bone formation. GDF5mutations have been identified in mice with the mutation brachypodism (bp), a mutation which affects the length and number of bones in limbs. Recombinant mouse GDF5 protein, fused to His-tag at N-terminus, was expressed in E.coli.