BMP-7 (Bone morphogenetic protein 7) forms disulfide-linked homodimers and heterodimers with BMP-2 or BMP-4. It interacts with the type 2 receptors Activin RIIA, Activin RIIB, and BMPR-II and the type 1 receptors Activin RIA, BMPR-IA, and BMPR-IB. BMP-7 promotes new bone formation and nephron development, inhibits the branching of prostate epithelium, and antagonizes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In pathological conditions, BMP-7 inhibits tumor growth and metastasis, ameliorates fibrotic damage in nephritis, and promotes neuroregeneration following brain ischemia.
