Cell surface transmembrane ligand for Eph receptors, a family of receptor tyrosine kinases which are crucial for migration, repulsion and adhesion during neuronal, vascular and epithelial development. Binds promiscuously Eph receptors residing on adjacent cells, leading to contact-dependent bidirectional signaling into neighboring cells. The signaling pathway downstream of the receptor is referred to as forward signaling while the signaling pathway downstream of the ephrin ligand is referred to as reverse signaling (By similarity). May have a role in the developing mesenchymal and nervous tissue. Interacts with TLE4 through the PDZ-binding motif. Expressed at low levels in most tissues with highest levels in the kidney, oocytes, ovary and testis. At stages 16 and 32, expressed in the neural groove, rhombomeres, forebrain and branchial arches. The PDZ-binding motif is required for TLE4-binding. Inducible phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in the cytoplasmic domain. Tyrosine phosphorylation inhibits TLE4-binding. Belongs to the ephrin family.