这个基因编码的蛋白质是表皮生长因子家族的一员。它是一种自分泌生长因子，也是星形细胞、雪旺细胞和成纤维细胞的有丝分裂原。与表皮生长因子（egf）和转化生长因子α（tgfα）有关。该蛋白与EGF/TGFα受体相互作用，促进正常上皮细胞的生长，抑制某些侵袭性癌细胞系的生长。在乳腺、卵母细胞和骨组织发育中也起作用。该基因与银屑病样皮肤表型有关，也与其他病理性疾病有关，包括各种癌症和炎症状态。
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the epidermal growth factor family. It is an autocrine growth factor as well as a mitogen for astrocytes, Schwann cells and fibroblasts. It is related to epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha). The protein interacts with the EGF/TGF-alpha receptor to promote the growth of normal epithelial cells, and it inhibits the growth of certain aggressive carcinoma cell lines. It also functions in mammary gland, oocyte and bone tissue development. This gene is associated with a psoriasis-like skin phenotype, and is also associated with other pathological disorders, including various types of cancers and inflammatory conditions.