Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) family is important in regulating growth, maturation, function, and maintenance in epithelial tissues (particularly the mammary gland and gastrointestinal tract) and the nerve system. EGF stimulates the growth of various epidermal and epithelial tissues in vivo and in vitro and of some fibroblasts in cell culture.
The EGF family is comprised of 13 members, which are all membrane-anchored proteins, in addition to their properties as ligands that activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), bearing tyrosine kinase activity.