该基因编码一种生长因子，作为表皮生长因子受体的配体，激活细胞增殖、分化和发育的信号通路。该蛋白可作为跨膜结合配体或可溶性配体。这种基因与许多类型的癌症有关，也可能与唇腭裂有关。另外，还发现了编码不同亚型的剪接转录变体。
This gene encodes a growth factor that is a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor, which activates a signaling pathway for cell proliferation, differentiation and development. This protein may act as either a transmembrane-bound ligand or a soluble ligand. This gene has been associated with many types of cancers, and it may also be involved in some cases of cleft lip/palate. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.