Recombinant Human Noggin Protein

Noggin, also known as NOG, SYM1, and SYNS1, is a secreted homodimeric glycoprotein. Noggin inhibits TGF-β signal transduction by binding to TGF-β family ligands and preventing them from binding to their corresponding receptors. Noggin was originally identified as a BMP-4 antagonist whose action is critical for proper formation of the head and other dorsal structures.
Noggin is essential for proper skeletal development, excess BMP activity in the Noggin null mutant results in excess cartilage and failure to initiate joint formation.
During the culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or neural stem cells under certain conditions, addition of Noggin to antagonize BMP activity may allow stem cells to proliferate while maintaining their undifferentiated state, or alternatively, to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons. Noggin also appears to maintain adult stem cell populations in vivo, for example, maintaining neural stem cells within the hippocampus.