In this review, we described the GDF11 signaling pathway and the role of GDF11 in physiological and pathological processes in the areas of organ development, erythropoiesis, aging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer and other diseases.GDF11 is involved in anterior-posterior pattering of axis skeleton, digestive gland development and urogenital system development. This evidence concerns the gene GDF11 and cardiovascular disorder.