BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins) belong to the TGF-β superfamily of structurally related signaling proteins. As implied by their name, BMPs promote and regulate bone development, growth, remodeling and repair, in both prenatal development and postnatal growth of eye, heart, kidney, skin, and other tissues. BMP-12 is highly conserved across species. BMP-12 regulates chondrogenesis, bone morphogenesis, and neuron differentiation.