该基因编码一种分泌肽激素和表皮生长因子（egf）蛋白家族成员。编码蛋白是表皮生长因子受体（egfr）和结构相关的erb-b2受体酪氨酸激酶4（erbb4）的配体。编码蛋白可能参与多种生物学过程，包括炎症、伤口愈合、卵母细胞成熟和细胞增殖。此外，编码蛋白可能促进各种人体组织癌症的进展。
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.