該基因編碼一種分泌肽激素和表皮生長因子（egf）蛋白家族成員。編碼蛋白是表皮生長因子受體（egfr）和結構相關的erb-b2受體酪氨酸激酶4（erbb4）的配體。編碼蛋白可能參與多種生物學過程，包括炎癥、傷口愈合、卵母細胞成熟和細胞增殖。此外，編碼蛋白可能促進各種人體組織癌癥的進展。
This gene encodes a secreted peptide hormone and member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of proteins. The encoded protein is a ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the structurally related erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4). The encoded protein may be involved in a wide range of biological processes including inflammation, wound healing, oocyte maturation, and cell proliferation. Additionally, the encoded protein may promote the progression of cancers of various human tissues.