The function of EGF (epidermal growth factor, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000138798) is as follows. EGF stimulates the growth of various epidermal and epithelial tissues in vivo and in vitro and of some fibroblasts in cell culture. Magnesiotropic hormone that stimulates magnesium reabsorption in the renal distal convoluted tubule via engagement of EGFR and activation of the magnesium channel TRPM6. Can induce neurite outgrowth in motoneurons of the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis in vitro (PubMed:10964941). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:10964941, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17671655}.