EBF4 belongs to the conserved Olf/EBF family of helix-loop-helix transcription factors, members of which play important roles in neural development and B-cell maturation.

Nagase et al. (2000) cloned EBF4, which they designated KIAA1442. They identified an Alu element in the 3-prime untranslated region, and found that the deduced 627-amino acid protein shares significant similarity to the mouse Olf1 (EBF) transcription factor. RT-PCR ELISA detected highest EBF4 expression in lung, ovary, kidney, fetal brain, and several specific adult brain regions. Intermediate expression was detected in heart, whole adult brain, pancreas, testis, and fetal liver, and low expression was detected in adult liver, skeletal muscle, and spleen.