Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), also known as osteogenic protein-1, is a member of the TGF- superfamily, and is widely expressed during embryonic development. Like other members of the bone morphogenetic protein family, BMP-7 works synergistically with BMP-2 to play a key role in the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into bone and cartilage tissues by actively recruiting stem cells from the surrounding tissue, thereby initiating the bone formation cascade. In adult cells, BMP-7 is predominately expressed in the brain, kidneys, and bladder.