Proper development of metazoan embryos requires cell to cell communications. In many instances, these communications involve diffusible molecules, particularly members of the Transforming Growth Factor β superfamily. In an effort to identify new members of this superfamily involved in the control of early zebrafish embryogenesis, we have isolated a gene, Radar, which appears to be conserved throughout vertebrate evolution and defines a new subfamily within the superfamily. Its pattern of expression suggests that Radar plays a role in the dorso-ventral polarity of the neural plate, blood islands formation, blood cells differentiation, the establishment of retinal dorso-ventral polarity and/or proper axonal retinotectal projections. Radar expression in ntl homozygous mutants indicates that notochord and hypochord development are intimately linked.