這個基因編碼的蛋白質是表皮生長因子家族的一員。它是一種自分泌生長因子，也是星形細胞、雪旺細胞和成纖維細胞的有絲分裂原。與表皮生長因子（egf）和轉化生長因子α（tgfα）有關。該蛋白與EGF/TGFα受體相互作用，促進正常上皮細胞的生長，抑制某些侵襲性癌細胞系的生長。在乳腺、卵母細胞和骨組織發育中也起作用。該基因與銀屑病樣皮膚表型有關，也與其他病理性疾病有關，包括各種癌癥和炎癥狀態。
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.