F-box-like component of E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes; involved in R7 photoreceptor cell differentiation, cone cell development and neuronal cell cycle control. E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes mediate ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of target proteins. Required for specification of R7 photoreceptor cell fate in the eye by participating in the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of Tramtrack (ttk), a general inhibitor of photoreceptor differentiation. Required to block the S phase entry in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system in a process that does not involve the degradation of ttk. Involved in cone cell development by preventing the transcriptional repression mediated by Su(H) on Dl, probably by participating in a E3 complex that contains sno and mediates the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of some component of the Su(H) repressor complex. Component of some E3 complex at least composed of sina, ebi and phyl, required for the degradation of ttk. Probably forms a E3 complex with sno, required for the degradation of some component of the Su(H) repressor complex. Interacts with sno and Su(H) and Smr. Widely expressed both in embryos and larvae. The F-box-like domain is related to the F-box domain, and apparently displays the same function as component of ubiquitin E3 ligase complexes. 'Ebi' means 'shrimp' in Japanese. Belongs to the WD repeat EBI family.