Neuregulin 1 belongs to a family of structurally related polypeptide growth factors and is produced in numerous isoforms by alternative splicing, which allows it to perform a wide variety of functions. These isoforms include heregulins (HRGs), glial growth factors (GGFs) and sensory and motor neuron-derived factor (SMDF). They all have the Ig and EGF-like domain, and can bind to ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptor tyrosin kinases. This binding induces ErbB3 and ErbB4 heterodimerization with ErbB2, stimulating intrinsic kinase activity, which leads to tyrosine phosphorylation. NRG1 isoforms have functions of inducing the growth and differentiation of epithelial, neuronal, glial, and other types of cells.