Secretory protein growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is a newly identified member of the BMPs family and TGF-β superfamily. In early embryo, GDF11 modulates the development and differentiation of a number of vital tissues and organs such as spinal cord, olfactory receptor neurons, bones, kidney, retina, pancreas, etc, showing its essential role in the normal development of the embryo. Recent studies have exhibited that GDF11 significantly improves brain cognition, reverses myocardial hypertrophy and improves the metabolism of skeletal muscle, proposing a wide range of biological effects and its potential in clinical application as a senescence-reversing agent. However, a most recent research obtained opposite results. In this review we will introduce the up-to-date knowledge of GDF11, concerning its discovery and research history, structure, expression regulation, signal transduction pathways and functions in order to provide ideas for future research.