Description: Noggin is one of a group of proteins that act as secreted antagonists of BMP activity. BMPs are essential for osteogenesis and organogenesis during embryonic development, and also play a role in tissue healing in adults. Noggin inhibits BMP activity by binding to them with high affinity,thereby blocking their ability to bind to their receptor. Noggin was first identified in Xenopus embryos with expression in the Spemann organizer. Along with Chordin and Follistatin, it drives neural formation and dorsalization during embryonic development. It was later found to have widespread expression and function, and continues to remain active in the nervous system of adults.