該基因編碼一種生長因子，作為表皮生長因子受體的配體，激活細胞增殖、分化和發育的信號通路。該蛋白可作為跨膜結合配體或可溶性配體。這種基因與許多類型的癌癥有關，也可能與唇腭裂有關。另外，還發現了編碼不同亞型的剪接轉錄變體。
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.