Using myeloma cell lines as a model system, we show that activin A antagonizes BMP-6 or BMP-9-signaling through ACVR2A/ACVR2B/ALK2, but not BMP-2 or BMP-4-signaling through BMPR2/ALK3 or BMPR2/ALK6. The gene discussed is ACVR2A; the disease is plasma cell myeloma.