Inhibitor of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) signaling which is required for growth and patterning of the neural tube and somite. Essential for cartilage morphogenesis and joint formation. Inhibits chondrocyte differentiation through its interaction with GDF5 and, probably, GDF6 (PubMed:21976273, PubMed:26643732). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:12478285, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21976273, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26643732}. This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000183691 (NOG, noggin).